Man Sought in Killing May Have Hurt Face

Montgomery County police are looking for a man who they think fatally shot a Wheaton resident in his home Monday night and then fell on his face as he fled the residence, police said.

"Witnesses saw the suspect exit the residence, and at some point he tripped outside the residence and did not catch himself," police spokeswoman Melanie Hadley said. "He possibly injured his face and forehead."

Police found the victim, Jose Abelardo Tejada, 47, inside his home, in the 3500 block of Edwin Street, shortly after 6:30 p.m. Detectives have not determined a motive for the shooting, Hadley said.

"We're looking at every angle," she said.

Tejada lived with a relative but is believed to have been alone when his assailant entered the home, police said.

Police did not say whether the two might have been acquainted, how many times Tejada was shot, what kind of firearm was used or where in the house he was slain.

Investigators said a man was seen fleeing the area shortly after the shooting. They said the suspect is believed to be a Latino man approximately 215 pounds and about 5 feet 3 inches.

Police said he might have been wearing a black ski mask, a black bomber-style jacket with a green-and-white logo on the front, dark pants and black shoes.

They said they weren't certain about the type of facial injuries the suspect might have sustained, but they encouraged health-care providers to be on the lookout for a man seeking attention for bruises on his face.

Detectives are also interested in hearing from anyone who might have seen something suspicious in the area of the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 240-773-5770.