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The Haymarket Town Council will once again take up the topic of a proposed Islamic center at its meeting on Monday, April 28, 2025.

We previously reported incorrect information that the council would discuss the expansion of the Chick-fil-A drive-through at this meeting. However, the Chick-fil-A expansion was already approved earlier this month under conditions: the restaurant must obtain sign-off from all necessary regulatory bodies, including the Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office, which currently opposes the plan.

The council’s upcoming discussion will instead focus on the Special Use Permit (SUP) application for the proposed Islamic Center at 14600 Washington Street, submitted by Mohammed Kasim Gul. The project aims to convert part of the old Pace West school building into a permanent place of worship for the local Muslim community, sharing the building with federal contractor QBE.

During a work session on March 31, the council and town staff reviewed key concerns raised at a March 3 public hearing, including parking availability, traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, and occupancy limits.

A parking plan estimates that about 198 to 201 spaces could be striped on the existing lot, although staff cautioned that some spaces may be unusable due to tight drive aisles and parked trailers. The lot has not been restriped since 2013, leading to uncertainty about its true capacity.

Occupancy regulations were also discussed. Under Prince William County guidelines, assembly use for more than 49 people would trigger requirements for additional exits and potentially the installation of a fire alarm or sprinkler system. Final occupancy will depend on a detailed review of the building’s layout.

Another major concern was the absence of an updated site plan. The previous plan for improvements expired without being bonded, and council members expressed hesitation about approving the SUP without a current and accurate plan showing marked parking spaces and loading zones.

The proposal also calls for a police presence during peak traffic periods, such as Friday prayers and Ramadan, similar to arrangements made for other religious institutions along Washington Street.

The Islamic Center proposal has received strong community support, with more than 70 emails submitted in favor and numerous residents speaking positively at the March 3 public hearing. Still, concerns remain regarding potential traffic congestion on Route 55 and the impact on neighboring businesses.

The proposed center would serve residents who currently travel 20 to 30 minutes to the nearest mosque, providing a local space for daily and Friday prayers.

OCCOQUAN, Va. — A series of notable developments unfolded at the April 15, 2025, Occoquan Town Council meeting, including a leadership change and updates to the town’s ongoing budget planning.

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Two Prince William County police officers were involved in an officer-involved shooting on April 26, 2025, at 9:58 a.m. at the Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home, located in the 12100 block of Clipper Drive in Woodbridge (22192).

Officers responded to a call about a male in crisis armed with a knife. Upon making contact with the man inside the residence, he approached the officers with the weapon. After the man disregarded commands, the officers discharged their service weapons, firing multiple rounds. Following the initial confrontation, the man attacked a 91-year-old woman, leading the officers to discharge their weapons again.

Officers provided first aid to both the male and the female. The woman was flown to an area hospital with serious injuries and is expected to recover. The male died at the scene. No officers were injured, and the incident remained contained to the residence.

Investigators determined the involved parties were related. Another adult female was inside the residence at the time but was not injured. The identity of the deceased, preliminarily identified as a 26-year-old man, is pending confirmation.

At the request of Chief Peter Newsham, the Prince William County Police Department requested the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to conduct an independent investigation. The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative leave. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.

Here’s the full press release:

Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation – On April 26 at 9:58AM, two Prince William County police officers were involved in an officer-involved shooting at the Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home located in the 12100 block of Clipper Drive in Woodbridge (22192). Preliminarily, officers were called to the scene in reference to a male in crisis who was armed with a knife.

Upon making contact with the male inside the residence he approached the officers with the knife. Officers gave the man commands which he disregarded. The officers discharged their service weapons firing multiple rounds. After the initial confrontation with the officers, the man then began to attack the victim, identified as a 91-year-old woman, leading to officers discharging their weapons again.

Officers provided first aid to both the male and the female. The female was flown to an area hospital for serious injuries and is expected to recover. The male died at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident, which remained contained to the residence.

During the investigation officers determined the parties involved were related. There was also one additional adult female inside the residence during the incident who was not injured. The identity of the deceased, preliminarily identified as a 26-year-old man, is waiting to be confirmed.

The Prince William County Police Department, at the request of Chief Peter Newsham, has requested the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to oversee the investigation as an independent body. The involved officers will be placed on routine administrative leave. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.

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Editor's Note:
This is the first in a three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) ambitious System Plan 2050, which outlines a vision for how the commuter rail system could grow over the next 25 years. We'll break down what the plan means for the region, what riders can expect, and how the system hopes to pay for its bold goals.

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The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy graduated its 60th Basic Law Enforcement Session on Friday, April 25, 2025, during a ceremony at Chapel Springs Church in Bristow. The graduating class included 17 Prince William County Police officers and one Prince William County Sheriff’s deputy. Each graduate completed 24 weeks of training in areas such as firearms, use-of-force decision making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques, criminal investigation, and crash investigation. Police officers typically start with an annual salary of $62,000.

Here’s the full press release:

Police Basic Recruit School Graduates Today

The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 60th Session graduated on Friday, April 25, 2025, in a ceremony at Chapel Springs Church in Bristow. This class was composed of 17 Prince William County Police officers and one Prince William County Sheriff’s deputy.

The 18 men and women completed a 24-week course of training in all aspects of police work, including classes in firearms, use-of-force decision making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques, criminal investigation and crash investigation. Brief biographies of each graduate follow:

Dalen T. Armeni is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, with a bachelor’s degree in history. He serves in the Army National Guard at the rank of Second Lieutenant. Additionally, he was the Class Guide of the 60th Session. Officer Armeni is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.

Justin L. Barnes is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College in Blacksburg, with bachelor’s degrees in criminology and sociology. He serves in the U.S. Army Reserves at the rank of First Lieutenant. Officer Barnes is assigned to patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Gabriella M. Butcher is a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. She has family in law enforcement. Officer Butcher is assigned to patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Ty M. Clingerman is a graduate of Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va., with a master’s degree in coaching and sports leadership and bachelor’s degrees in sociology and psychology. He has family in law enforcement. Additionally, he was the Class Vice President of the 60th Session. Officer Clingerman is assigned to patrol in central Prince William County.

Reese W. Creadon attends the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science. Officer Creadon is assigned to patrol in central Prince William County.

Waghma Ghairat is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University in State College, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She speaks Farsi, Urdu, and Pashto. Officer Ghairat is assigned to patrol in central Prince William County.

Michael J. Labella, IV is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College in Blacksburg, with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. Officer M. Labella is assigned to patrol in central Prince William County.

Ryan P. Labella is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College in Blacksburg, with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. Officer R. Labella is assigned to patrol in western Prince William County.

Selvin J. Milian Garcia is a graduate of Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Comercials Romulo Gallegos in Guatemala City, Guatemala, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He speaks Spanish. Additionally, he was the Class President of the 60th Session. Officer Milian Garcia is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.

Michael P. Nowell is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Officer Nowell is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.

Jamal P. Ortte is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He has family in public safety. Deputy Ortte is assigned to the Sheriff’s Office.

Melensky Saint Louis is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, with an associate degree in criminal justice. He has family in law enforcement, and he speaks Haitian Creole and French. Officer Saint Louis is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Abdul M. Sami is a graduate of ECPI University in Manassas with an associate degree in cybersecurity. Officer Sami is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

Guillermo Sanchez is a graduate of Paoli Junior-Senior High School in Paoli, Ind. He worked as a corrections officer in Louisville prior to joining this Department. He speaks Spanish. Officer Sanchez is assigned to patrol in western Prince William County.

Adam D. Snover is a graduate of Frazier Mountain High School in Lebec, Calif., and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science and cyber security at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He serves in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at the rank of Sergeant. He has family in law enforcement. Officer Snover is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.

Travis O. Tracey is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Officer Tracey is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.

Aidan W. Wiecki is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine, with a bachelor’s degree in vessel operations and technology. Officer Wiecki is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

As the need for highly skilled and capable law enforcement officers increases, the Department continues to seek qualified applicants for police officer positions. All interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Prince William County Police Recruiting at (703) 792-7924 or visit the Department’s website at www.joinpwcpd.org. You can also find us on social media.

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WOODBRIDGE — Prince William County police are investigating a shooting that occurred at approximately 1:48 p.m. on April 24 in the 14900 block of Enterprise Lane. Officers said a verbal altercation between occupants of a red sedan escalated into gunfire between the sedan’s occupants and nearby pedestrians.

The sedan fled the scene by vehicle, and the pedestrians left on foot before police arrived. One bullet struck a home, causing debris to injure a resident inside. Another round struck an unoccupied vehicle. Officers and a K-9 unit searched the area but were unable to locate anyone involved. The investigation is ongoing.

MANASSAS AREA — A 35-year-old man was stabbed following an altercation on April 24 at approximately 1:36 p.m. in the 7300 block of Miramar Drive. According to police, the victim and an acquaintance, identified as Adrian Basilio Espinoza, engaged in a verbal dispute that escalated. Espinoza allegedly cut the victim with a knife before fleeing.

Warrants have been issued for Espinoza, 33, of the 8500 block of Kirby Street in Manassas, charging him with malicious wounding. Efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

WOODBRIDGE —
Reckless Handling of a Firearm:
Officers already in the area of Featherstone Road and Arizona Avenue on April 23 around 8:39 p.m. heard multiple gunshots. Police said a sedan traveling eastbound on Featherstone Road fired several rounds into the air before fleeing. No injuries or property damage were reported.

MANASSAS —
Vandalism on School Grounds:
A School Resource Officer at Colgan High School discovered vandalism inside a textbook on April 23 at around 12:16 p.m. Police said swastikas and derogatory language had been drawn inside the book. No threats toward students or staff were found, and no additional vandalism was reported.

Arrests in Prince William County

MANASSAS AREA—
Assault & Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer [Juvenile]:
A 15-year-old male was arrested after assaulting a School Resource Officer and attempting to disarm him at Osbourn Park High School. The juvenile is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Sexual Assault:
Edwin Alberto Mendoza, 28, was arrested for sexually assaulting two women near Community Drive and possession of suspected illegal drugs. He is being held without bond.

Sexual Assault Investigation:
Edgar Antonio Lopez Hernandez, 48, was arrested following an investigation into a reported sexual assault at the Forest Park Mobile Home Park. He faces charges of two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of object sexual penetration.

WOODBRIDGE —
Assault & Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer [Hospital Incident]:
Hawa Kaloko, 23, was arrested after allegedly assaulting two officers and hospital staff during an evaluation at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

Assault & Battery on Law Enforcement Officer:
Humberto Hernandez-Valles, 41, was arrested after resisting officers and allegedly kicking one officer and attempting to bite another during a call on April 24. He is being held without bond.

Attempted Abduction [Domestic]:
Quentine Preston Forge, 31, of Fredericksburg, was arrested after he allegedly headbutted a woman and attempted to drag her from a fitting room at PRIMARK inside Potomac Mills Mall on April 24. Forge is charged with attempted abduction, assault and battery, and obstruction of justice. He is being held without bond.

Malicious Wounding [Domestic]:
A 47-year-old man was arrested following a domestic dispute on April 24 at a residence in the 2900 block of Wetherburn Court. Police said Bedri Sinan Kahramanoglu headbutted a 48-year-old family member during an argument. Kahramanoglu is charged with malicious wounding. Court date pending; bond unavailable.

DUMFRIES —
Threats to Bomb:
Candice Sherrell Logan, 35, was arrested for allegedly threatening to bomb Potomac Middle School. She was charged with threats to bomb and disorderly conduct.

Stafford County

Robbery Suspects Caught:
Deputies arrested Claude Church Jr., 30, and Heather Harrison, 38, after spotting them near Woodland Drive on April 24. Both were wanted out of Fairfax County for robbery charges. Church faces additional charges for possession of controlled substances and paraphernalia. Both suspects are being held without bond.

Fraud and Foot Chase at Panera Bread:
Shane Williams, 28, was arrested on April 23 after trying to use counterfeit money at Panera Bread on Stafford Market Place. Williams fled on foot but was tackled by a Sheehy Toyota employee before deputies detained him. He is charged with possession of forged currency, use of forged currency, possession of a fictitious identification, and obstruction of justice.

Assault at Jay’s Sports Lounge:
Deputies responded to a fight between two women at Jay’s Sports Lounge on April 24. Police said one woman assaulted and dragged the other by her hair after the victim took her car keys to prevent drunk driving. The suspect was pepper-sprayed in self-defense. She was charged with assault and battery and public intoxication and is being held without bond.

Drugs at Rappahannock Regional Jail:
Staff at the Rappahannock Regional Jail found a suspected controlled substance hidden inside an AirPods case belonging to a new inmate brought in from another jurisdiction. The substance was seized, and charges are pending.

Fraud During Traffic Stop:
A traffic stop on April 24 near Richmond Highway and Sage Lane led to the arrest of a driver who provided a false identification. Deputies discovered the man had no driver’s license. He is charged with falsely identifying himself to law enforcement, driving without a license, and having an expired inspection. He is being held on a $2,500 secured bond.

Hit and Run on Hulls Chapel Road:
Deputies responded to a damaged mailbox on April 24. It was determined a FedEx driver struck the mailbox. No injuries were reported.

Phone Stolen on River Crest Way:
A resident reported that he accidentally dropped his phone and it was missing when he returned to the area. Deputies are investigating the larceny reported on April 24.

Public Intoxication on Little Whim Road:
Deputies arrested a man on April 24 who was reportedly intoxicated and on his way to steal more alcohol. He was charged with public intoxication and held until sober.

Stolen Property at Traffic Stop:
Deputies arrested a driver near Access Eye on Cambridge Street after discovering one of the vehicle’s license plates was reported stolen. The driver was charged with receiving stolen goods and failure to obey a traffic light and is being held without bond.

MANASSAS, Va. — Democratic Congressmen Eugene Vindman (VA-7) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) appeared before a packed audience Friday morning at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters to reflect on their first 100 days in office.

The event, titled “The First 100 Days: Our Freshmen Congressmen’s Perspective,” was moderated by UVA Health Chief External Affairs Officer Jen Siciliano and offered a sweeping look at the challenges facing Northern Virginia and the nation.

Both lawmakers, elected in November 2024, emphasized the urgency of their work amid what they described as a time of national “chaos” and “uncertainty” that has rattled communities, economies, and institutions alike.

“We’re facing unprecedented circumstances — not just politically, but economically and institutionally,” said Subramanyam, a former state legislator and Obama-era White House tech advisor. “Even the most seasoned members of Congress haven’t seen anything like this, so in many ways, freshmen like us are just as prepared.”

Vindman: “Smart Growth” Vision and Focus on Democracy

In a one-on-one interview after the event, Rep. Vindman told Potomac Local News that his long-term vision for Northern Virginia centers on “smart growth through smart-funded infrastructure,” which includes bringing more industry to the region and capitalizing on the area’s strong schools and educational institutions. However, he cautioned that his immediate focus remains on “preserving the republic.”

That, Vindman said, means protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, “especially for families like Shannon and Luca’s in Stafford County, who rely on Medicaid for 24-hour care,” he said. He also called for defending democratic norms and due process. “We have to hold the line on what America stands for,” he said.

Response to Book Spending Allegations

Vindman had no comment when asked about a New York Post report that his campaign spent nearly $39,000 at a Florida bookstore where his brother, Alexander Vindman, held book signings.

Chamber CEO Sweeney: “Fantastic Kickoff” to New Headquarters

Prince William Chamber of Commerce CEO Robert “Bob” Sweeney praised the event as a “fantastic kickoff” to the organization’s new home and called the conversation “refreshing and honest.”

“Having two freshman congressmen that serve in this unpredictable, uncertain time was wonderful,” Sweeney said. “They really shed light on what’s possible, what to look forward to, and what to be concerned about.”

While some attendees expressed concerns about immigration and workforce shortages, Sweeney said he hadn’t directly heard of businesses losing employees due to immigration issues. Instead, he highlighted how major industries — including healthcare and tech — are banding together to weather economic turbulence.

“Inova, Kaiser, Sentara, UVA Health, AWS, Google, and Iron Mountain were all in the same room this week trying to figure this out together,” he said.

One bright spot came from UVA Health, which Sweeney said has fully resolved its nursing shortage by training high school graduates for entry-level clinical roles and supporting them toward becoming registered nurses. “They’ve built a pipeline — no open nursing positions today,” he said.

On the other hand, retail businesses in Manassas City were described as “very, very concerned.” According to Sweeney, while the impact of tariffs hasn’t yet shown up on expense reports, foot traffic has dropped as consumers tighten discretionary spending. “We’ll see how it plays out, but our members are watching it closely,” he said.

Economic Warning Signs and Workforce Concerns

Both congressmen warned that tariffs, federal spending cuts, and efforts to relocate federal agencies to red states are threatening the region’s economic stability. Vindman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said his district could lose billions in economic activity if current policies continue. Subramanyam added that unpredictability is deterring businesses from investing in innovation and long-term growth.

“You can’t plan if you don’t know what tomorrow brings,” Vindman said. “That’s the worst environment for business.”

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate for Virginia governor, will headline this year’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner hosted by the Prince William County Republican Committee on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Foxchase Manor, located just outside Manassas.

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The Prince William County Homeless Mobile Unit resumed operations this spring, offering weekly support to homeless residents in the western part of the county. The unit is stationed at Manassas Presbyterian Church, 8201 Ashton Avenue, every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m., providing hot meals and referrals for mental health, housing, and substance abuse services. Feeding Friends now operates the unit, which was previously run by Serving Our Neighbors until September 2024.

Full press release:

The Prince William County Homeless Mobile Unit reopened this spring, bringing much-needed services to the unsheltered community in the western part of the county. The mobile unit operates every Thursday from the Manassas Presbyterian Church parking lot at 8201 Ashton Avenue, offering hot lunches, as well as mental health, housing and substance abuse referrals.

Previously operated by the non-profit Serving Our Neighbors, the unit ended operations in September and was donated to Prince William County to ensure the continued delivery of services. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the donation in December, and the unit underwent refurbishment and maintenance before its relaunch. The non-profit Feeding Friends will now assume operational responsibilities.

“I’m excited to get it started up again,” said Acting Assistant Director of the Homeless Services Division,?Tanya Odell. “The mobile unit serves our most vulnerable clients. It allows us to provide services on the spot to support them. It’s definitely needed.”

Phyllis Jennings-Holt, director of the county’s Department of Social Services, also emphasized the importance of the unit in addressing the needs of the unsheltered.

“Folks are in crises,” Jennings-Holt said. “Being unsheltered has an impact on your mental health, your physical health, so being able to go somewhere, even for a short period of time, to get some needs met, to talk to someone about next steps and to possibly get some help is important.”

The mobile unit is designed to meet people where they are and provide immediate assistance to those seeking stability.

“If the client is interested in services, they will be referred to those programs or departments to link them to those services. If they need help from federal agencies, we will help them start the process,” Odell said.

The mobile unit will be staffed by social workers, mental health professionals and outreach workers, operating Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with plans to increase operating hours in the near future.

For more information on available services, visit pwcva.gov/socialservices.