SILVER SPRING, Md. — A Montgomery County man who is accused in three murders - a pregnant woman whose body was found in his apartment, and a gas-station clerk - has been deemed incompetent to stand trial, at least for now.
Torrey Moore, 31, of Silver Spring, was sought by police Dec. 9 after the murder of a gas station attendant. Police also discovered the decomposed body of an 8-month-pregnant woman in his apartment.
MoCo judge just ordered Torrey Moore held w/out bond & not competent to stand trial, will have evaluation in June. Charged w/murdering Shell station clerk Ayalew Wondimu Dec 8 & in the shooting death of Denise Middleton, who was pregnant & found dead in his nearby White Oak apt. pic.twitter.com/LuqotcL9HM
— Tom Roussey (@tomroussey7news) December 19, 2022
Moore allegedly shot and killed Ayalew Wondimu, 61, at about 3:03 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Dash In convenience store where Wondimu worked, inside a Shell gas station on New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. Investigators believe the suspect and victim got into a fight for unknown reasons, after Moore entered the store, selected merchandise, and approached the counter. Moore then allegedly took out a gun from his vest and shot Wondimu multiple times.
Police executed a search warrant at the Enclave Apartments, across the street from the gas station.
They found a severely decomposed body in the apartment. Moore told detectives he was in a relationship with that victim, and also said she was 8 months pregnant at the time of her death. The victim's body has been taken to the Chief Medical Examiner's for an autopsy. Moore, who was found inside his apartment, is charged with first-degree murder and possessing a gun while committing a felony. More charges may be pending.
Moore was deemed to be incompetent to stand trial, said Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy in a press conference Dec. 19.
He is also expected to be charged for three murders, including the child of the woman who was in "a very advanced stage of pregnancy."
McCarthy said a second warrant is still outstanding, for Moore to be charged in the death of the woman and her child.
He noted a judge denied a request by Moore to be released to pretrial services.
McCarthy said:
"It's important to note that he is not free in the community. He is being held without bond because of the dangerousness, even though it's still pending as an evaluation for competency."
The charging documents are expected to be released Dec. 20, McCarthy said.
Anyone with information on the investigation should 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.
