Two women were found dead in an apartment near Manassas.
The incident occurred on Porters Ridge Lane, in the Portsmouth neighborhood, behind Global Food, near Manassas.
Police discovered the bodies inside an apartment at 5:12 a.m. Both victims succumbed to gunshot wounds, sparking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths, according to initial information from county police.
Authorities swiftly moved forward with the case, resulting in an arrest made in Shenandoah County. Reports indicate that the suspect, in an attempt to flee the crime scene, resorted to carjacking a passerby’s car. However, their flight was short-lived as their vehicle malfunctioned while driving through Shenandoah County.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized that the incident does not appear to be random, indicating that there may be underlying motives behind the shootings.
Nine people have been shot and killed in Prince William County so far this year.
Police found the body of a woman in a trash truck in Lake Ridge after she didn’t pick up her child from daycare.
On Thursday, March 21, at 8:49 p.m., officers responded to a residence located in the 12200 block of Stevenson Court in Lake Ridge to investigate a missing person.
The investigation revealed family members were concerned over the welfare of the victim, Taty’ana Zakiyyah Cooks, 30, who had not picked up her child from daycare.
During the investigation, detectives learned the victim’s vehicle was being driven by an acquaintance of the victim, later identified as the accused, in Newport News and that the victim’s belongings were still inside her Lake Ridge home.
On March 22, detectives were looking for the missing woman and stopped at a trash truck. Inside, they found the woman’s body.
Additional evidence was discovered which indicated the accused was involved in the victim’s death.
Following the investigation, detectives obtained a murder warrant for the accused, identified as Brendon Devon White, 28, who was located and arrested by Newport News and charged with murder. He’s now in jail.
A Warrenton man was shot to death outside a club in Dumfries.
Today, March 23, at 2:08 a.m. Prince William police were called to Club Tempo, 17650 Possum Point Road, where they found 38-year-old Carvell Jarmain Williams suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers provided first aid to the man, who was taken to an area hospital and later died from his injuries.
Two vehicles in the parking lot were also struck by gunfire. No other injuries were reported.
No suspects have been located at this time. Detectives are actively investigating the incident to determine what led up to the shooting. They are seeking to speak with anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to aid in the investigation.
Preliminarily, the incident does not appear to be random.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Prince William County police at 703-792-6500 or submit a tip online at pwcva.gov/policetip.
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]Philip Austin Brant, 26, of Woodbridge, has been identified as the suspect in an officer-involved shooting that occurred at an apprenticeship training center located at 7016 Infantry Ridge Road near Manassas on February 13.
The incident resulted in the death of Elijah Islam Safdi, 23, of Manassas, who was one of the stabbing victims. The other stabbing victim, a 23-year-old man from Fairfax, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), with members from Local Union 26 IBEW, operates a training center at the address.
Preliminary details released by authorities indicate that the incident began with multiple 911 calls reporting a stabbing-in-progress at the training center, police said. When officers arrived, they encountered Brant at the entrance door and engaged him as he brandished a knife, police said. Despite commands to drop the weapon, Brant continued to advance toward the officers, prompting them to fire their department-issued handguns, ultimately striking Brant, police said.
Further investigation revealed that the initial stabbing occurred in a classroom within the training center, where Brant allegedly approached one victim and began stabbing him multiple times, police said. The altercation escalated, leading to the second stabbing victim, Safadi. Safadi later succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect, Brant, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) continues to lead the investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the officers involved, both with five years and one-and-half years of service, respectively, in uniformed patrol operations. Each has been placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a web tip at pwcva.gov/policetip. All tips received will be relayed to CIRT investigators as the investigation progresses.
[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]The bodies of Nicholas Allen Smith Withrow, 42, and Brittnee Yvonne Posey, 30, were found inside a home in Triangle.
Police said Withrow shot and killed Posey, his wife, then shot and killed himself. Posey’s death is the second homicide in Prince William County in 2024.
More from police:
“Murder/Suicide Investigation *DECEASED IDENTIFIED | INCIDENT DETAILS – Detectives are continuing to investigate the deaths of two adults who were located inside a residence in the 18300 block of Cabin Rd. in Triangle (22172) on January 14. The preliminary investigation has revealed the two deceased were located by family members who had received concerning texts indicating the two were having an argument. At this time investigators believe the altercation escalated between the two parties who are husband and wife. During the argument, the husband, identified as Nicholas Allen SMITH WITHROW, shot his wife, Brittnee Yvonne POSEY, before shooting himself. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. A three-year-old girl was inside the residence at the time and was unharmed. The child was released to the custody of family members.”
Identified:
The deceased were identified as Nicholas Allen SMITH WITHROW, 42, and Brittnee Yvonne POSEY, 30, both of Triangle”
“Death Investigation – On January 14 at 6:09PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 18300 block of Cabin Rd. in Triangle (22026) to investigate a death. When officers arrived at the home, they located two individuals, a 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, inside the residence suffering from gunshot wounds. Both parties were known to one another and were pronounced dead on scene. At this time, the incident appears to involve the two parties and was isolated to the residence. A firearm was recovered on scene by officers. There is no threat to the community. The investigation continues.”
Prince William police report the first murder in the county of 2024.
On Saturday, January 6 at 5:04 p.m., officers responded to investigate a shooting that reportedly occurred in the area of Possum Point Road and Leonard Street in Dumfries earlier that day.
Officers were initially called to an area hospital where a 24-year-old Desire Alexandria Buggs, 24, of Woodbridge was suffering from a gunshot wound and later died. The preliminary investigation revealed her husband, later identified as the accused, brought the victim to the hospital after the shooting occurred and provided detectives with an account of what led up to the shooting, police said.
While investigating, additional information and the weapon believed to be used during the shooting were turned over to police. Further investigation revealed the accused was involved in the incident. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Daniel Okoe Lawson, 24, of 14306 Jeffries Road, Apt #602, in Woodbridge, was arrested.
Lawson faces felony murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and shooting into an occupied vehicle charges.
Detectives are continuing their investigation to determine what led up to the shooting and the shooting location. Anyone with information that could aid investigators in this investigation are asked to contact police.
Charged with felony murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and shooting into an occupied vehicle
There were 22 murders in Prince William County in 2023, a tie with a 10-year high recorded in 2016.
