Decomposing Body Found As Police Arrest Accused Gas Station Shooter

SILVER SPRING, MD — When Montgomery County Police went to the home of a man accused of fatally shooting a Dash In store worker in Silver Spring, they found a decomposed body. The suspect has been charged with murder, and more charges are possible, police said.

Torrey Moore, 31, of Silver Spring, was charged in the homicide that occurred about 3 p.m. Thursday at the Dash In convenience store and Shell gas station in the 11100 block of New Hampshire Avenue.

Officers found the shooting victim, Ayalew Wondimu, 61, of Silver Spring, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Wondimu, an employee of the Dash In Convenience Store, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Investigators said Moore went into the store, selected merchandise and approached the counter. For reasons unknown so far, Moore and Wondimu argued, and it escalated into a fight, during which Moore pulled a handgun from his vest and shot Wondimu multiple times, according to a police news release.

Homicide detectives tracked Moore to the Enclave Apartments, across the street from the gas station where the fatal shooting took place. A search warrant was obtained for Moore’s residence, and police found a body inside his apartment in an advanced stage of decomposition.

Moore told detectives he had been in a relationship with the person found inside the apartment. He said the victim was eight months pregnant at the time of her death.

The woman's body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. Her name and stage of her pregnancy will be released following the completion of the autopsy, identification, and notification of next of kin.

Moore was found in his apartment, arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he has charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm while committing a felony.

Detectives are waiting for the medical examiner to determine the cause and manner of death, and identify the female victim, to determine appropriate charges.

Anyone who has information about this homicide is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.