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Suspect In Md. Shooting Spree Arrested Without Incident

ASPEN HILL, Md. (WJZ) -- A 24-hour shooting spree in Maryland came to a dramatic end Friday, with 62-year-old Eulalio Tordil arrested just feet from the final crime scene.

RELATED: Suspect In 3 Deadly Shootings Spanning 2 Days, 2 Counties, In Custody

Ava-joye Burnett has more.

Eulalio Tordil was taken into custody without incident in a strip mall parking lot in Aspen Hill. Police say he was eating in the Boston Market restaurant.

Police say they were waiting for the right moment to make a move because they didn't want to his arrest to turn into a shootout.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ARREST:

The intense search for Tordil lasted 24 hours. Police say he went on a killing spree.

"He put his hands out. That's probably the best thing he could have done," one witness told WJZ. "I knew what was happening, but I didn't think that guy would be around here."

According to investigators, Tordil was going shop to shop in the strip mall, which was just across the street from Friday's second shooting outside a Giant grocery store.

Police had surveillance on him for an hour, waiting for the right moment to make a move.

"I am pleased with the fact that this individual has been apprehended and now we can restore some degree of peace," said Prince George's County Police Chief Henry Stawinski III.

"At no point was it safe to take him into custody until we did," said Chief Thomas Manger, Montgomery County Police Department.

Undercover detectives pinned the 62-year-old in his Hyundai Elantra rental vehicle before arresting him without incident.

"Shots came in over in that area. Draw the guns on him and told him to get out of the car," one witness said. "He came out of the car in a few minutes, five minutes, with hands up."

A law enforcement officer with the Federal Protective Service, Tordil was placed on administrative leave in March after his wife issued a protective order against him. In 2010, she said he slapped her so hard, the impact broke the glasses on her face. Just weeks ago, she alleged he threatened to harm her if she ever left him.

The chaotic 24-hours left three people dead and an entire area on-edge.

Police say Tordil did not have a gun on him at the time of his arrest. There was, however, a gun in his car.

Tordil is expected to be arraigned sometime on Monday. He's being held without bond.

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