Police still do not know if a Bethesda man shot in his garage last month was targeted by the shooter, but today they enlisted his wife and an anonymous donor to help.
Jyothsna Mody described her husband Ashoka Mody as a "very hardworking family man," and said the household was still bewildered by the events of Oct. 8, when Ashoka Mody, 54, was shot with a handgun as he was exiting his car at his home in the 6800 block of Millwood Road at about 7:30 p.m.
In a press conference organized by Montgomery County Police on Friday, Jyothsna Mody said she had led a "very sheltered" life that had not prepared her for this sort of situation, and that the family was still traumatized and confused.
"I appeal to all of you to come forward with any tips, any tips whatsoever," Jyothsna Mody said in a prepared statement.
Mody is still being treated at a local hospital and is still suffering from "serious injuries," according to police spokesman Capt. Paul Starks, but Mody has not been paralyzed and doctors are still hopeful for a recovery. He is not receiving police protection, Starks said, noting that very few crime victims receive such protection.
At the press conference, Crime Solvers of Montgomery County also announced an increase in the reward for information leading to any arrests in the case. The maximum reward is now up to $36,000, whereas previously the maximum was $1,000. The increase was due to a donor who wished to remain anonymous, according to Crime Solvers President Kathleen Timmons, who said such a donation was "not normal."
Ashoka Mody, an employee at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., was shot multiple times in his garage before a masked assailant with a medium build and dark clothing fled the scene. Police are investigating whether a small, dark car driving with its lights off away from the area around the time of the shooting is connected with the shooting in any way. His wife heard the gunshots and reported the shooting.
Police also announced Friday that they recovered a black knit hat with holes for the eyes and mouth in Mody's driveway. But Starks would not comment if any DNA samples were recovered from the mask, and it is unclear if the shooter was waiting for Mody in the garage or if he entered the garage after Mody drove inside.
Police still do not know if the crime against Mody was random or if he was the specific target of the shooter.
"Robbery does not appear to be the motive," said Detective Frank Stringer of the county's 2nd District Police.
There is nothing to indicate that Mody was shot because of any work he did with the IMF, Starks said. Ashoka Mody's behavior or mood did not indicate that anything was amiss in the days prior to his shooting, according to Starks.
"We haven't narrowed the scope," he said.
The investigation does not involve any other law enforcement agency in the United States or internationally.
The Modys' Millwood Road neighbors described the couple as friendly and good-natured, and also expressed shock that such an incident could occur in their neighborhood.
Police did not allow any photographs or videos of Jyothsna Mody to show her face, and she took no questions after reading her statement.
"This is my home. It's our home. This is our community, and we all want to be safe," Jyothsna Mody said.
