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prince william police department graduates
The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 59th Session graduates. [Courtesy of Prince William County]
On Dec. 20, 16 men and women completed the 59th session of the Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement school.

The Prince William County Police officers completed a 24-week course of training in several aspects of police work, including firearms, use-of-force decision-making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques and investigations.

This is the most recent class of the county's police academy, which started their training in July. The county hosts a new academy session in March, July and November of each year.

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[Photo: Alan Gloss]
Prince William County

Attempted Malicious Wounding
An incident was reported on December 17 at the Broadstone at River Oaks Apartments near Dumfries. A 42-year-old woman sustained minor injuries during a domestic dispute when an acquaintance, identified as Derrick Raynaun Jackson, struck her and dragged her a short distance with his vehicle, police said. Warrants have been issued for Jackson’s arrest, but he remains at large.

Bomb Threat Investigation
A bomb threat investigation occurred on the morning of December 17 at a construction site on Hayden Road in Manassas. A written threat was discovered on the door of a portable bathroom, prompting an evacuation. No credible threat was found after a search of the area.

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[Photo: Alan Gloss]
Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal crash that occurred yesterday, December 16, 2024, at 1:02 p.m. on Interstate 95 northbound near the 163-mile marker in Fairfax County, just north of the Prince William County line.

Two vehicles were traveling northbound at a high rate of speed when one of them, a 2013 BMW 650I, changed lanes and struck a 2020 Mercedes E-Class, which was not involved in the speeding. The Mercedes hit the guardrail, while the BMW struck the jersey wall, ejecting its driver. The Mercedes then struck the driver of the BMW.

The driver of the BMW, Kenneth D. Buckner, 35, of Washington, D.C., died at the scene. Police confirmed he was not wearing a seatbelt. A passenger in the BMW, Tyra Williams, 29, was partially ejected and sustained serious injuries. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

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Fredericksburg Police Investigate Downtown Shooting, Identify Additional Suspect

The Fredericksburg Police Department is continuing its investigation into a shooting that took place in the early hours of December 14. Authorities have identified a new suspect, Izaiah Jabbar Daniels, 21, of Woodford. The Orange County Sheriff's Office apprehended Daniels during a vehicle stop, and he is currently being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. He faces charges of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

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[Photo: Alan Gloss]
Prince William County detectives are searching for Taylohn Jashaud Andrews, 18, in connection with a shooting that occurred on November 15 at the Summerhouse II Condos in the 1000 block of Gardenview Loop in Woodbridge.

Andrews

Officers responded to the scene at 1:39 a.m. and found an 18-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his lower body lying near a vehicle in the parking lot. The victim was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators determined the incident likely began during an altercation inside a nearby home, where police found a shell casing and marijuana, according to a press release. The victim has not provided information to detectives, and police do not believe the shooting was random, police said.

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Prince William County police are investigating an attempted sexual assault that occurred on Tuesday, December 10, at Nokesville Community Park, 12560 Aden Road, near Manassas. A woman was walking along a trail near Hickerson Lane around 9 a.m. when she was approached by a masked man who attempted to assault her. The victim fought back, and the suspect fled after a struggle. Another park visitor assisted the victim in contacting the police. She was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Detectives have released a composite sketch of the suspect, described as a white or light-skinned male, approximately 5'9", with an average build, brown eyes, and dark bushy eyebrows. He was last seen wearing dark clothing, including a long-sleeve dry-wicking shirt, sweatpants, and a ski mask exposing only his eyes. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them as the investigation continues. Also, in Prince William County
  • On December 11 at 9:06 PM, officers responded to Linton Hall Road near Devlin Road in Gainesville to investigate a road rage incident. A 27-year-old man reported that another driver brandished a firearm during the encounter before the parties separated. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported. Officers are working to identify a potential suspect.
  • On December 10 at 1:35 PM, officers investigated a road rage incident on Legend Glen Drive in Gainesville. A 41-year-old man stated that while stopped at a stop sign, another driver brandished a firearm before the parties separated. There were no shots fired, and no injuries were reported. Officers are following up on a potential suspect.
  • On December 11 at 8:17 AM, officers responded to Anderson Court and Arkendale Street in Woodbridge for a report of indecent exposure. A 23-year-old woman reported seeing an unknown man expose himself and make inappropriate gestures while she was driving. The suspect, described as a Black male in his early to mid-30s, was not located.
  • Later that morning, at 9:57 AM, the School Resource Officer at Patriot High School in Nokesville was notified of vandalism. Investigators discovered a swastika and other inappropriate images drawn on a classroom partition. The drawings did not contain any threats to students or staff, and no additional markings were reported.
Sheriff's Office Names Suspect in Spotsylvania Shooting, Still at Large The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office has identified Jahvel Antonio Littleford, 18, of Spotsylvania as the suspect in a shooting that left a 22-year-old woman critically injured on December 4, 2024. Authorities have issued warrants for Littleford, who remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. Deputies responded to the 8100 block of Cherry Tree Drive around 7 p.m. on the night of the shooting and found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was given immediate medical attention and transported to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical but stable condition at last report. The Sheriff’s Office has stated the incident does not appear to be random and urges anyone with information to call 800-928-5822 or 540-582-5822. Littleford is wanted for malicious wounding, use of a firearm in a felony, and vandalism. Manassas police search for runaway Intoxicated Stafford Teen Arrested for Assault and Alcohol Violations A 19-year-old Stafford man was arrested Wednesday, December 11, 2024, after a concerned citizen reported an assault in the Lake Carroll community near Fredericksburg. Deputies responded to Lake Shore Drive about 6:30 p.m., where the caller had observed a man assaulting a juvenile female. Deputy S.C. Steinway located the pair and recognized them from a prior incident. Both showed signs of intoxication, though the male denied drinking. A search revealed he had four bottles of Fireball whiskey. Ricardo Castro Ramirez is charged with assault and battery, public intoxication, unlawful possession of alcohol, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He is held on a $1,000 secured bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. The juvenile was returned to her home, where her mother assured deputies she would face strict consequences, said police. The sheriff's office would not provide the victim's age. Also, in Stafford County:
  • Truslow Road, 12/11, 2:17 a.m. Sergeant J.T. Forman and Deputy I.E. Baldi responded to an automatic crash notification. Upon arrival, they found a Toyota and its driver, who admitted to taking a turn “too fast.” During the interaction, deputies observed signs of intoxication. The driver admitted to consuming two beers before driving and revealed a bottle of alcohol hidden in the bottom of his pant leg. He was charged with driving under the influence and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.
  • Quarry Road, 12/11, 5:43 p.m. Deputy J.J. Holetzky responded to a single-vehicle auto accident involving a minivan that had crashed off the roadway. The driver showed signs of intoxication and admitted to consuming a tall beer before heading to a job interview at a winery. Although the outcome of her interview is unknown, she may be late to her first day. The driver was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content above .2 and reckless driving. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.
  • 7-Eleven, 2998 Richmond Highway, 12/11, 9:37 p.m. Deputy K.F. Bierfeldt responded to a report of an unknown problem. A caller reported a man slumped over the steering wheel of a Ford. Upon contact, the driver showed strong signs of intoxication and initially admitted to consuming “six to seven” alcoholic drinks, later changing his story to “six to seven waters.” The driver was found to have a suspended license and no insurance. He was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content between .15 and .2, driving with a suspended license, and driving without insurance. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.
  • Fraud -- Overlook Court, 12/11, 7:13 p.m. Deputy K.P. Hall responded to a fraud report. The victim explained she had received a popup ad on her computer from someone claiming to represent McAfee Antivirus. She called the provided number, allowing the suspect to remotely access her computer and banking information.
  • Larceny -- Target, 1090 Stafford Market Place, 12/11, 12:42 p.m.Deputy J.S. Torres responded to a shoplifting in progress. Staff reported a female suspect stuffing her bag with merchandise. After stopping at Starbucks, the suspect attempted to leave but was intercepted by Deputy Torres. Over $220 worth of items were recovered. The suspect was charged with shoplifting and released on personal recognizance.

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Update 7:50 p.m. — Prince William County police have identified Michael David Burke, 58, as the man who died in an officer-involved shooting on December 5 in Woodbridge.

Police did not say where the man was from.

Prince William police:

Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation *DECEASED IDENTIFIED – Prince William County police have identified the man who died during an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 5000 block of Davis Ford Rd in Woodbridge (22192) on December 5. The deceased was identified as Michael David BURKE, 58. The investigation into the encounter between the officer and the deceased before the shooting remains active and led by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.

 

Update 12:45 p.m — Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham held a press conference today following a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred near the Central District Police Station in Woodbridge. Chief Newsham expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and outlined preliminary details of the incident.

“This morning, an adult white male, believed to be in his 50s, arrived at the joint fire and police department complex. He entered the rear parking lot of the fire station, armed with a knife,” Newsham said. “One of our officers, who was at a nearby gas pump, was alerted to the man’s presence and responded to the scene.”

The armed individual confronted the officer and advanced toward him. Despite commands to drop the knife, the subject continued moving forward, prompting the officer to discharge his firearm. The man was struck, and officers attempted to render aid before he was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been confirmed.

Investigation Underway

Prince William County’s Critical Incident Response Team is handling the investigation, which will be reviewed by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Afterward, the department will conduct an administrative review to determine whether the use of force complied with department policies.

Body camera footage of the incident exists but will not be released until the investigation is complete. Surveillance footage from the area is also being reviewed.

Officer’s Status

The officer involved is a two-year veteran of the force. “This incident is very impactful for the officer, who is understandably shaken but physically uninjured. He will receive support at our resiliency center,” Newsham added.

Witness Accounts and Questions

According to Chief Newsham, a witness observed the man in the fire station parking lot and alerted the officer. The suspect’s motives for being at the complex remain unclear. Investigators are exploring whether the individual was experiencing a mental health crisis, as initial evidence suggests.

When asked if less-lethal force, such as a Taser, could have been used, Chief Newsham stated that it remains unclear whether the officer was equipped with such a device at the time. The timeline of events, from the officer being alerted to the confrontation, was described as very brief, with the situation escalating rapidly.

Community Impact

The shooting occurred during a shift change for fire department personnel. “The fire chief expressed gratitude that the officer placed himself between the individual and the firefighters, ensuring their safety,” said Chief Newsham.

The investigation will continue, with updates provided as more details are confirmed. Authorities emphasized the importance of patience as the process unfolds.

Below is the full transcript of Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham’s remarks following an officer-involved shooting near the Central District Police Station:

Chief Peter Newsham:
Good morning, everyone. I’m Pete Newsham, Chief of Police here in Prince William County. I’m here to speak about a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred this morning.

First, I want to express my condolences to the family of the decedent. In policing, when we come to work, our goal is to help people. Unfortunately, there are times when we are forced to use force, and in some instances, that force results in the loss of life. That’s what happened here this morning.

The information I have right now is preliminary because this just occurred a few hours ago, and more details will emerge as the investigation progresses. Here’s what we know so far:

An adult white male, appearing to be in his 50s, arrived at this joint fire and police department complex. He entered the rear parking lot of the fire department. One of our officers, who was at a nearby gas pump, was alerted to the man’s presence and the fact that he was armed with a knife.

The officer approached the man, who confronted the officer with the knife. The man advanced toward the officer, prompting the officer to discharge his firearm, striking the individual. Officers immediately attempted to render aid, but the individual was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

We have not yet identified the individual. Once we confirm their identity, we will release that information.

Investigation Process:
The investigation is being handled by the Critical Incident Response Team, which will present its findings to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. The Commonwealth’s Attorney will determine if there is any prosecutorial merit to the case. Afterward, the Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation to determine whether the officer’s actions were consistent with department policies.

Questions from the Press:

Reporter: Was the man observed by someone at the fire station?
Chief Newsham: Yes, a witness in the area alerted the officer to the man’s presence and his possession of a knife.

Reporter: Is this individual known to your department?
Chief Newsham: Until we have a full identification, I don’t want to speculate.

Reporter: Could this person have been suffering from a mental health crisis?
Chief Newsham: That is one of the things we will investigate. Initial information suggests that the individual may have been in crisis.

Reporter: Was there any de-escalation or commands given?
Chief Newsham: The officer retreated and gave commands for the man to drop the knife.

Reporter: Was there body camera footage?
Chief Newsham: Yes, there is body camera footage. We will determine whether to release it after the investigation is completed.

Reporter: Could less-lethal force, such as a Taser, have been used?
Chief Newsham: I don’t know at this point whether the officer was equipped with a Taser. That will be part of the investigation.

Reporter: What do we know about the officer?
Chief Newsham: The officer is a two-year veteran, a male, who will be placed on leave and will receive support at our resiliency center. He is understandably shaken but physically unharmed.

Reporter: Was the area well-lit?
Chief Newsham: The area has lighting. I wouldn’t characterize it as dark.

Reporter: How quickly did this situation unfold?
Chief Newsham: It happened very quickly, in less than 10 minutes.

Reporter: Was there a threat made toward law enforcement?
Chief Newsham: If someone advances toward an officer with a knife, that is considered a threat.

Reporter: How close was the individual to the fire station?
Chief Newsham: He was in the back parking lot, close to the fire station.

Reporter: How many shots were fired?
Chief Newsham: That will be part of the investigation.

Original Post 8:40 a.m. — On December 5, a Prince William County police officer fatally shot a man who advanced toward them with a knife at the Department of Fire & Rescue Station 26 and Central District Police Station in Woodbridge. The man, who ignored commands to drop the knife, was transported to a hospital, where he died; no officers or others were injured, and the Critical Incident Response Team is investigating.

From Prince William police:

Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation – On December 5 at 5:06AM, a Prince William County police officer was involved in an officer-involved shooting on the grounds of the Department of Fire & Rescue Station 26 and the Central District Police Station located in the 5000 block of Davis Ford Rd in Woodbridge (22192) during an encounter with a man on the property.

Preliminarily, a uniformed police officer was completing their work shift when the officer received information about a man in the rear parking lot of the fire station. As the officer made contact with the man, a knife was seen in the man’s hand. The man began approaching the officer, waving the knife in front of him and towards the officer. The officer gave several commands to the man to drop the knife. The man did not comply and continued advancing towards the officer.

At one point, the officer discharged their service weapon, striking the man in the upper body. Additional officers arrived on the scene soon after, and immediate first-aid was administered by officers and fire & rescue personnel from the nearby fire station. The man was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries. No officers, fire & rescue personnel, or other community members were injured during the incident, which remains contained to the grounds of the property.

There is no active threat to the surrounding community. The identity of the deceased, preliminarily identified as an adult man, is pending and will be released once confirmed and a next of kin is notified.

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 officer will be placed on routine administrative leave. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.

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Carter

Four individuals have been indicted in the murder of 23-year-old Egypt Zapporah Carter, and all suspects are now in custody, the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney and county police announced on December 2.

The case stems from a February 2 shooting in the area of Bronson Ct. and Brickwood Dr. in Dale City, where Carter was ambushed and fatally shot while sitting in her vehicle.

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