News Releases

Detectives Arrest Thirty-One-Year-Old Man for New Hampshire Avenue Homicide

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 9, 2022

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 31-year-old Torrey Moore of Silver Spring, with a homicide that occurred on Thursday, December 8, 2022, in the 11100 block of New Hampshire Ave.  

 

At approximately 3:03 p.m., 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded to a Shell Station (Dash In Convenience Store) in the 11100 block of New Hampshire Ave. for the report of a shooting that just occurred.  

 

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

 

Preliminary investigation has revealed that Moore entered the convenience store, selected merchandise and approached the counter. For reasons unknown at this time, a verbal altercation occurred between Moore and Wondimu. This altercation quickly escalated into a physical altercation, at which point, Moore pulled a handgun from his vest and shot Wondimu multiple times. 

 

MCPD homicide detectives tracked Moore to the Enclave Apartments, across the street from the crime scene. A search warrant was requested and obtained for Moore’s residence. During the execution of the search warrant, Montgomery County Police discovered a body inside of the apartment, in an advanced stage of decomposition.

Moore gave statements to detectives that he had been in a relationship with the person located inside the apartment. He also stated that the victim was eight months pregnant at the time of her death.

 

The body of the female victim has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) for an autopsy. Her name and stage of her pregnancy will be released following the completion of the autopsy, positive identification, and proper notification of next of kin.

 

Moore was located inside of his apartment, arrested and transported 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 OCME to make a determination of the cause and manner of death along with a positive identification of the female victim to determine appropriate charges.

 

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Detectives from the Major Crimes Division 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 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.  

 

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Release ID: 22-607
Media Contact: L.N.J.Ivey 
Categories: homicide