Police/Crime/Fire  

Silver Spring Man Charged with Killing Convenience Store Employee

Decomposed Body Found in Moore’s Apartment

Terry Moore, 31, of Silver Spring, was arrested and charged with first degree murder in connection with a shooting at a Shell gas station at 11150 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring in which an employee was shot multiple times in the chest.

When police went to Moore’s apartment in the nearby Enclave Apartments, Friday they arrested him without incident. While there, they also found an adult female “in advanced stage of decomposition,” according to Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones.

Moore implicated himself in the shooting death of Ayalew Wondimu, 61, of Silver Spring, who worked at the Dash In Convenience store, according to Jones. Wondimu was pronounced dead at the scene.

Moore also told police that he was in a relationship with the woman, who was about eight months pregnant, Jones said. Her body was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine her identity, how she died and how long she had been dead.

The shooting at the convenience store occurred at 3 p.m. Thursday. When police arrived there, they saw Wondimu “suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.”

According to store video and witnesses, Moore entered the store and selected a bottle of iced tea before approaching the counter. “We could tell that a verbal altercation was occurring,” Jones said.

Moore retrieved a silver handgun from his vest pocket. “He shot Wondimu at a point-blank range,” Jones said. When Wondimu fell over, Moore allegedly leaned over the counter and shot him a few more times.

He then grabbed his bottle of iced tea and left the store, heading to the Enclave Apartments across the street.

When police obtained a no-knock search warrant, that was signed by State’s Attorney for Montgomery County John McCarthy, they entered his apartment. Besides seeing the decomposed body, police also found a handgun.

Police have not received any missing person’s report recently that fit the woman’s description. While Jones didn’t have many details about the woman, he did say, “We believe they both resided at the apartment.”

Moore has a criminal record, most of which occurred in Prince George’s County and Virginia, according to Jones.

Jones said that Moore is a known “problem customer” at that store. “There was a troubled past of confrontation.”

“To literally have a dispute over a container of iced tea at a convenience store and have it rise” to a fatal shooting, “It’s very troubling to me,” Jones said.

Moore has been charged with first degree murder and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. There could be more charges filed in this case once it is known how the woman died.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information 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.

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