Metro (WMATA)

Man Dies After Shooting at Wheaton Metro Station

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said Friday reiterated the safety of the transit system, and said the agency has boosted patrols

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A man has died after a shooting inside the Wheaton Metro Station during the evening rush Thursday, police say.

Metro previously said the victim died at the scene, but that report was incorrect.

A dispute on an escalator led to the shooting of Tenneson Vaughn Leslie, Jr., an 18-year-old man from Greenbelt, on the platform shortly before 6 p.m., according to Montgomery County police.

According to detectives, Leslie, Jr. was with a group of people. His group got into a fight with the another group, which escalated into the shooting on the metro platform.

A manhunt is underway for the shooter after all suspects fled. Police searched the woods just north of the station and are reviewing surveillance images from the station. The shooter or shooters still have not been found.

Leslie, Jr. suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

An 18-year-old man was injured in a shooting at the Wheaton Metro Station. News4's Jackie Bensen reports.

The station remained closed late Thursday. Red Line service was suspended in the area.

A recent increase in violent crime in Metro stations led to new security measures.

“I do know that Metro has partnered with other jurisdictions, as well as Montgomery County police, to ensure that there is a police presence in some of the Metro stations,” said Shiera Goff of Montgomery County police.

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said Friday reiterated the safety of the transit system, and said the agency has boosted patrols.

"Once in a while, community issues will unfortunately spill into the Metro environment," Clarke said. "I fundamentally believe Metro is a very safe place to be. I'm on the system every single day. That doesn't mean we're ever going to stop trying to work on safety and make everyone feel comfortable."

Clarke added that gun violence is a broader issue that affects more than just the Metro.

"I think we have a national issue. Metro can do its part, but we need a lot of other people to step up and start dealing with gun violence in our country."

Stay with News4 for updates to this story.

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