Two people were killed and two others wounded in a pair of shootings today in the suburbs of Washington, and authorities sought a federal law enforcement officer.
Police put out a bulletin seeking help in locating Eulalio Tordil, a 62-year-old officer in the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service.
Tordil is sought in the yesterday shooting death of his wife at a school in Prince George's County, Maryland, which occurred on the eve of the two incidents in adjacent Montgomery County.
Today morning, gunfire broke out at the Westfield Mall in Bethesda, with one man killed and two people wounded.
A second shooting later at a supermarket in nearby Aspen Hill, Maryland left one woman dead.
"This continues to be a very active investigation," Montgomery County police Captain Paul Starks told reporters.
"We're still looking at the possibility that these shootings here (in Bethesda) and the shooting in Aspen Hill are related."
Starks added that "we are looking at whether last night's shooting in Prince George's County and these shootings were committed by the same suspect."
Schools in the vicinity were asked to keep children in place "out of an abundance of caution," the official said.
The incidents occurred in some of the same areas hit by the so-called "Beltway Sniper" in 2002 that prompted a lengthy manhunt and resulted in 17 deaths before a suspect was caught.
According to Pentagon, suspect Santiago was recipient of
several medals including one 'Global War on Terrorism Service Medal'.
Police said he arrived at the airport with a checked gun. After he claimed his bag, he took the gun from bag. Thereafter, he went into the bathroom to load it.
Santiago started shooting as he came out of the bathroom. His brother was quoted as saying in the local press that Santiago was receiving psychological treatment while living in Alaska.
"Our hearts ache for those killed in this senseless attack, and we pray for the swift recovery of all who were wounded. No words can replace the loss of loved ones. No moments of silence can quiet the voices across America calling for action," said Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader.
