Suspect Arrested, Charged in Fatal Shooting of Gas Station Employee

Detectives from the county’s Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 31-year-old Torrey Moore of Silver Spring with a fatal shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon at the Shell gas station (Dash In) in the 11100 block of New Hampshire Ave. in White Oak.

According to an MCPD press release, 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue responded at approximately 3:03 p.m. Thursday to the Shell gas station (Dash In) in the 11100 block of New Hampshire Ave. in response to a report of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers found an adult male victim, later identified as 61-year-old Ayalew Wondimu of Silver Spring, who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Wondimu, an employee of Dash In Convenience Store, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Moore entered the convenience store, selected merchandise, and approached the counter. For unknown reasons, an altercation quickly escalated into a physical altercation, at which point Moore pulled a handgun from his vest and shot Wondimu multiple times. Homicide detectives from the MCPD tracked Moore to the Enclave Apartments, located across the street from the crime scene. A search warrant was obtained for Moore’s residence, and as Montgomery County Police executed the search warrant, they discovered a body that was at an advanced stage of decomposition inside the apartment.

Moore told detectives that he had been in a relationship with the person inside the apartment; he further stated that the victim was eight months pregnant at the time of her death. An autopsy has been scheduled for the body of the female victim at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). Upon completion of the autopsy, positive identification, and notification of next of kin, her name, and stage of pregnancy will be released.

After being located inside his apartment, Moore was arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime. Detectives are waiting for the OCME’s determination of the cause and manner of death along with positive identification of the female victim to determine appropriate charges.

The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking anyone who has information about this homicide to call the Major Crimes Division at (240) 773-5070 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at (866) 411-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.

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