MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Authorities searching the apartment of a man accused of shooting and killing a gas station clerk on Thursday found the decomposing body of a woman, according to the Montgomery County Police Department.
Detectives were searching 31-year-old Torrey Moore’s apartment in connection with the shooting of 61-year-old Ayalew Wondimu when they made the discovery, officials said.
Police responded to a report of a shooting at the Shell gas station across the street from Moore’s apartment complex just after 3 p.m. and found Wondimu with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said Moore had earlier walked into the convenience store, grabbed some items and approached the counter.
“For reasons unknown at this time, a verbal altercation occurred between Moore and Wondimu,” police said in a statement. “This altercation quickly escalated into a physical altercation, at which point, Moore pulled a handgun from his vest and shot Wondimu multiple times.”
Detectives got a search warrant for Moore’s apartment across the street. Inside, authorities said they found a body “in an advanced stage of decomposition.”
Police said Moore told investigators that he had been in a relationship with the person found dead and that she was eight months pregnant at the time of her death. It was not immediately clear how she died. Police said Friday that her body had been transported to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
Authorities arrested Moore on charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm while committing a felony in connection with Wondimu’s death. Investigators said additional charges are possible in connection with the woman found dead Thursday.
Police continue to investigate.
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