Maryland shootings: Three people dead and two injured in three separate possibly 'linked' attacks

Police have listed a federal law enforcement officers as their primary suspect

Three people are dead and two others injured in three separate shooting incidents in Maryland. Police have arrested a federal law enforcement officer they believe is connected to the string of shootings.

Montgomery County police responded to reports of an 11 am shooting outside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. According to Assistant Police Chief Darryl McSwain, one person was shot, and two people who rushed to their assistance were also shot; they were reportedly rushed to the hospital. Police say one of the male victims was pronounced dead at the hospital, another male victim is in "grave" condition, and the woman has "non-life-threatening" injuries.

AP

Eight miles northeast of the mall, in Aspen Hill, a woman was shot outside of a Giant Food grocery store less than an hour after the mall shooting. Police say the woman died from her injuries.

Police announced that they apprehended their primary suspect, Eulalio Tordil, 62, "without incident" Friday afternoon. He was taken to Montgomery County police headquarters for further questioning. Police say there is "no immediate connection" between the alleged shooter and the victims.

Mr Tordil is a Federal Protective Service employee who had already been listed as a suspect by Prince George’s County police for allegedly shooting and killing his estranged wife in a Bethesda high school parking lot. He also allegedly wounded a man who came to her assistance.

Law enforcement were able to locate Mr Tordil based on vehicle descriptions consistent with those communicated with them from Prince George's County police. State Attorney John McCarthy told reporters that the suspect will face charges for all three incidents.

Mr Tordil had been placed on administrative leave from the FPS - which is a division of the Department of Homeland Security that supplies security for federal facilities - after a protective order had been issued against him in March, according to CNN.

Maryland County schools ordered students and teachers to shelter in place. One hospital in the area had issued a total lockdown.

Mr Tordil will be arraigned in a Maryland court Monday afternoon.