Teen Faced With Murder Charges After Mall Shooting | Washington DC News

A chilling incident unfolded at the Wheaton Mall Friday night when a 17-year-old, Diego Rafael Turcios Avalos, opened fire with a handgun near a Cinnabon and kids’ play area, striking a 13-year-old boy in the ankle. Surveillance captured him sitting calmly before suddenly firing at teens walking by — then fleeing. The teen was treated on-site and hospitalized but is not in critical condition. The mall went into lockdown as shoppers panicked; an armed guard intervened, stopping the suspect outside a store and allowing police to arrive. Authorities recovered a 9mm pistol. Turcios Avalos now faces attempted second-degree murder and assault charges and is jailed pending a bond hearing. This shocking act of violence in a family-friendly space underscores the urgent need for safety and accountability in public areas. Thank you to our sponsor Garrett Waller Performance: http://coaching.garrettwaller.com Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/326d463618ee0ac4