Police Identify 1 of 2 Victims Killed in Wheaton Mall Stabbing

Police have identified one of the people who was fatally stabbed Tuesday inside the Westfield Wheaton mall in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Police said Wednesday one of the victims was Angel Alfredo Gomez-Pineda, 24, of Silver Spring.

Information on the name and age of the second victim was not released. Police previously said he was male.

The two victims were stabbed after they were involved in a fight on the lower level of the mall, near the Hollister clothing store, police said.

Police said in an update Wednesday that four young men broke bamboo sticks that were in a planter inside the mall and wielded them against a young man. 

The conflict died down. Then, the man who had been attacked with the sticks returned with a knife, police said. 

Officers were called to the mall about 3:15 p.m., where they found the victims with life-threatening stab wounds. 

A teenage girl who said she worked in the mall said she saw a "kid" who was attacked. His friends were trying to help him, she said, declining to give her name.

"What I saw was a whole bunch of police officers. They were everywhere. They had every intersection of this mall locked down," another apparent witness, D'Aaron Dixon said. 

At least one person was questioned in the case and searched. Video shot from Chopper4 showed police stopping drivers as they tried to leave the mall parking lot. Officers searched their backseats and trunks. 

Police said surveillance camera images could provide valuable information as they work to confirm a description of the suspect.

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Police spokesman Capt. Paul Starks said he was unable to confirm whether the stabbings could be gang-related. 

The mall, also known as Wheaton Plaza, is located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton, Maryland.

Metro riders on the Red Line were told to expect delays in both directions due to an investigation at the nearby Wheaton station. Normal service was restored by 5 p.m. 

Anyone with information for police is asked to call 240-773-5070. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can call 866-411-TIPS. 

A reward of as much as $10,000 is offered.

This story has been updated from an earlier version after police released corrected information.

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