A teen is dead in the Herndon area after a fight involving three teens where one of them pulled a gun and fired at least three rounds on Wednesday. Warrants have been issued for the suspected shooter, who also is accused of drug dealing.
“At some point, they separated physically, the suspect pulled a firearm and shot at least three rounds. We don’t know how many struck the victim, who is deceased, and there was another victim who was also a teenager, who was shot at and not struck,” said Lt. Col. Brooke Wright of the Fairfax County Police Department at a news conference.
Wright called the afternoon incident in the 13700 block of Coppermine Road in the McNair section of Herndon “distressing.” The shooting occurred near a hotel not far from Dulles International Airport, and part of that hotel was roped off Wednesday afternoon.
“We have a teenager who’s dead and shouldn’t be, and I can’t imagine anything more devastating for that kid’s family. So, we take that very, very seriously,” Wright said.
Watch as Deputy Chief Brooke Wright provides an update on the fatal shooting in the 13000 block of Coppermine Road in McNair. https://t.co/nK8yQj2aEm pic.twitter.com/oy4BSHLMNU
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) March 20, 2024
The police have not said what started the dispute but did say the three knew each other.
Fairfax County police on Thursday afternoon released the name of the suspect they are looking for. They obtained warrants for Ismael Cruz-Delcid, 18, of Herndon. One warrant is for second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The other, obtained by the Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau, is for distribution of cocaine.
“These parties are known to each other. We don’t believe this to be a random act. We’re doing everything we can to get the suspect in custody,” she said.
Police want anyone with information to contact Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2, or report the information through Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or online.
Nearby Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary School was secured while police conducted the initial investigation.
Feature image courtesy Fairfax County Police Department/X
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