Aspen Hill shooting update

Mugshot of the
accused Westfield Montgomery Mall
and Aspen Hill shooter

While the suspect in the shooting rampage that left two dead in Montgomery County Friday may have begun a day earlier with a domestic-related homicide in Prince George's County, police now believe the Bethesda and Aspen Hill shootings may have been carjacking attempts. Assistant Montgomery County Police Chief Russ Hamill said carjacking is believed to have been the motive in both shopping center incidents, based on interviews with the defendant in the case.

At a press conference last evening, Hamill said the suspect, 62-year-old Eulalio Sevilla Tordil, has been charged with 2 counts of 1st degree murder in the deaths of Malcom Winfell, 45 (at Montgomery Mall), and Claudina Molina, 65 (at Aspen Hill Shopping Center). Tordil also faces 2 counts of attempted 1st degree murder, and 4 counts of use of a firearm during an attempted felony crime.

Hamill said a search warrant was served on Tordil's vehicle. Detectives recovered a .40 caliber Glock Model 27 from the interior. Through ballistic testing, detectives have confirmed this same firearm was used in both Montgomery County shootings, but it has not yet been officially linked to the Prince George's shooting.

After initial investigation, Hamill said police have so far found "no linkages" between Tordil and his Montgomery County victims. Two survivors' identities are being withheld because they are witnesses, Hamill said.

Winfell is survived by his wife and two children. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to support his family, and cover the expenses of his funeral.

Tordil is expected in court Monday.

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police

Aspen Hill shooting suspect to face judge Monday

Westfield Montgomery Mall and
Aspen Hill Shopping Center shooting
suspect Eulalio Tordil

Three people shot in the parking lot at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and another person shot in Aspen Hill, were allegedly victims of the same suspect in a shooting at a Prince George's County high school yesterday. Montgomery County Police captured the alleged shooter, Eulalio Tordil, 62, near the Aspen Hill Shopping Center, where the later shooting occurred.

The shootings caused Montgomery County Public Schools and recreation facilities to be locked down. Westfield Montgomery Mall remains open for business.

Police responded to a report of a shooting at the mall around 11:00 AM.

One mall victim has died, one is in grave condition at a local hospital, and a third is being "treated at a local hospital," Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger said at a press conference a short time ago. The Aspen Hill victim died, as well.

At the press conference, County Executive Ike Leggett commended County police for "an excellent job, a job we can be proud of."

Tordil is being held without bond, and will be brought before a judge Monday at 1:00 PM. The identities of the victims in Montgomery County today have not yet been released.

Police seek man in attempted sex assault of 16-year-old girl in Briggs Chaney area (Photo)

Montgomery County Police have released a composite sketch of the suspect in an attempted sexual assault Wednesday, in the Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring. Around 3:00 PM May 4, police responded to a report of the attack in the 14000 block of Castle Boulevard. The suspect entered the victim's apartment building by asking her to hold the door for him.

Once inside, the suspect tried to engage the 16-year-old female victim in conversation, which she dodged by pretending to be on the phone. He followed her up the stairs before grabbing her phone, exposing himself, and then attempting to pull down her pants.

When the victim screamed for help, her brother came out of their apartment and the suspect fled to a blue compact or midsize 4-door vehicle, and drove away.

The suspect is described as a black male in his early 30s, approximately 5’09” to 5’10” tall, and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He has short hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a teal or dark blue sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black boots (see suspect composite above).

Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to contact the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 240-773-TIPS (8477) or Text-A-Tip to: CRIMES (274637), text MCPD and your crime tip.  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this crime.

Kung Fu Tea coming to downtown Silver Spring

Downtown Silver Spring will get its first standalone bubble tea shop when Kung Fu Tea opens in the revamped Ellsworth Place mall later this year. The shop will take up 940 SF on level two of the mall.

Also, Rue 21 will take over a 7000 SF space next to Forever 21 on level 3. Rue 21 is also coming to Wheaton Plaza this year. The two new tenants are targeting a late summer/early fall opening.

“Both of these new retailers add tremendously to the eclectic experience we are creating at Ellsworth Place,” Terry Richardson, president and COO of Petrie Richardson Ventures, the mall's owner, said Wednesday.

“From what we know, this is downtown Silver Spring’s first-ever standalone bubble tea café. Adding Rue 21 to our roster, Ellsworth Place is now equipped with nearly half a dozen clothing options from national retailers – just in time for the summer and Back-to-School season.”

Rain garden relocated in Wheaton

Due to the upcoming office building construction on Reedie Drive, a portion of a rain garden had to be moved. It can now be seen at nearby Veterans Park, where it was recently transplanted.

Silver Spring construction update: The Bonifant (Photos)

The Bonifant, a new apartment building for active seniors at 929 Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring, is scheduled to open in May. It seems to have met a demand in the current market: all of the 2-bedroom units have already been leased.

Studios and 1-bedrooms remain, but are reportedly going fast. Certainly a great location, with all of the resources and services of the new Silver Spring Library right next door, and walking distance to transit and all of downtown Silver Spring's restaurants and nightlife.

The Bonifant is the result of a partnership between Montgomery Housing Partnership, The Donohoe Companies, and Humphrey Management.

Joe's Record Paradise requests construction permit in Silver Spring (Photos)

Finally some progress to report on the latest move of the legendary Joe's Record Paradise in Silver Spring. The store has filed for a construction permit from Montgomery County for the interior build-out of its new location. That new space is in the basement of the SunTrust building at 8700 Georgia Avenue, where there currently is no sign or indication that the store is coming there - but it is.

The future entrance? There's
another staircase inside

Not on the directory yet...

The old stomping grounds...