Washington Beltway Shootings: Funeral Set for 'Hero' Bystander

ROCKVILLE, MD — A Rockville man who ran without hesitation to help a woman targeted by a shooter at a Bethesda mall – and lost his life in the effort – will be buried Thursday.

Montgomery County Police Assistant Police Chief Russ Hamill has called Malcom “Mike” Winffel, 45, a hero for his actions, along with another unidentified bystander who tried to shop the fatal carjacking.

“These men are heroes. Malcom Winfell gave his life for somebody he doesn’t know in order to protect her from a predator,” Hamill said.

Three people were killed and three others were wounded in a shooting spree Thursday and Friday.

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Suspected gunman Eulalio Sevilla Tordil, 62, of Adelphi, a federal law officer, reportedly shot Winffel after he intervened as Tordil tried to steal a woman’s car outside Macy’s. The woman shouted for help, was shot, and Winffel and another man ran to help. Both men were shot, police say, by Tordil, the second man is recovering from his wounds, as is the woman they helped.

The visitation and funeral Mass for Winffel will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 11701 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, authorities said.

The visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, and the funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 12.

Winffel has been remembered by his family and friends as someone who was eager to help others.

To support his family, a Malcom Winffel’s Funeral Fund has been created on the GoFundMe website to help his wife and children with funeral costs and other expenses. Nearly $99,000 had been donated by Tuesday afternoon.

The site organizers said of Winffel:

“Sadly, Malcom Winffel was the victim on May 6 of a random act of violence. As many of you already know, there was a shooting at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Maryland. A stranger approached a woman and open fired upon her. Malcom lost his life saving her life. Anyone who knew him, knows that he was always trying to help.

He was an active member of his church and very involved in his children's lives. Malcom was always laughing and joking and could find the positive in everything. He made everyone around him laugh. He will be missed more than words could ever say.

Malcom leaves behind his wife, Norma, and 2 children, Brandon and Kayla. Please help us raise money toward his funeral expenses and to help support his family in the upcoming very difficult time. Every dollar will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.”

Tordil was in court Monday for a bond review hearing; a judged ruled he will be held without bond. His next court appearance is set for June 3.

More at Patch:

• Washington Beltway Shootings: 4 Shot, 2 Killed in Mall and Grocery; Federal Officer in Custody
• Maryland Woman Killed By Husband During Shooting Spree Asked Court For Protective Order: Police
• High School Slaying: Fundraiser Set Up For Teen Daughters; Victim Had Stayaway Order
• Maryland Shooting Victims: 'These Men Are Heroes'

After the mall shooting, police say Eulalio Tordil drove the Giant store in Silver Spring, where a tried to steal a car. But that victim, Claudina Modina, 65, of Silver Spring, fought back, and was fatally shot.

During the fight, Tordil lost his glasses, prosecutors said, which may have been the reason he didn’t drive away from the area, but instead strolled into shops, including a Dunkin’ Donuts and Boston Market. Undercover police officers had him under surveillance as he moved from store to store, and rammed his car when he tried to drive away.

Before his arrest on Friday, police had found numerous notes written by Tordil that they said were suicide notes. “He thought he would be killed in a shootout with police,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy told The Washington Post.

The mayhem started the day before when Tordil allegedly argued with his estranged wife Gladys Tordil, 44, and fatally shot her in the High Point High School parking lot in Beltsville. She was in the process of divorcing the suspect and had a court order requiring him to stay away. A man was also injured at that scene trying to defend Gladys Tordil.

»Photo of Malcom "Mike" Winffel, used with permission of Carlos Winffel