Prince William - Page 3 of 1215 - Potomac Local News

Cold Case Cracked: DNA Advances Lead to Conviction in 1987 Woodbridge Rape

Published August 29, 2025 at 2:26PM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said a 38-year-old cold case involving the abduction and rape of a local gas station clerk has finally been solved—thanks to cutting-edge DNA technology and years of relentless police work.

On August 21, a jury convicted Russell Marubbio, 54, of Florida, for the brutal 1987 assault that took place at a Chevron station on Jefferson Davis Highway in Woodbridge. Prosecutors say this marks the first time in U.S. legal history that rare “somatic mutations” in identical twins’ DNA were used to distinguish and convict one twin.

Wawa to Open in Dumfries with Free Coffee, T-Shirts, and Hoagie Contest

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 28, 2025 at 4:54PM

DUMFRIES, Va. — Wawa is set to open its newest Northern Virginia store in Dumfries on September 4, offering free coffee, t-shirts, and a hoagie-building contest featuring first responders.

The new store, located at 3600 Pointe Center Court, opens at 8 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:30 a.m. The first 100 customers in line will receive free t-shirts, and all customers will receive free hot coffee through September 7.

Prince William Woman Faces 10 Years After Manslaughter Conviction in 2021 Shooting

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 28, 2025 at 4:48PM

Myers

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — A Prince William County jury has convicted Lisa Gaye Myers, 60, of voluntary manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of her ex-boyfriend and tenant, Travis Kelly Deardorff. The verdict reduces her potential sentence to a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Myers was initially indicted of first-degree murder for the November 27, 2021, shooting inside her home on Bradford Lane, near Independent Hill. Police said Myers called 911 after shooting Deardorff in the head during an argument. He later died at a hospital.

Roem, Lawson Push Supervisors to Drop Digital Gateway Appeal

By Uriah Kiser and Alan Gloss

Published August 28, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated August 28, 2025 at 10:01AM

MANASSAS, Va. – As Prince William supervisors prepare for a September 9 vote on whether to appeal the voiding of the Prince William Digital Gateway, voices on both sides of the political aisle are urging them to let the ruling stand.

State Senator Danica Roem (D–Prince William County, Manassas) said in a statement that the board should “cut its losses” and stop spending tax dollars on a case already rejected twice in court. She noted Judge Kimberly Irving’s remark that she did not expect the county’s appeal to succeed, and called attention to the vacant Gainesville District seat. “The people of Gainesville District once again do not have full and equal representation compared to the other magisterial district residents on what amounts to a hugely consequential matter,” Roem said.

Judge Refuses to Stay Ruling Voiding Prince William Digital Gateway Rezonings

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 27, 2025 at 2:19PM | Updated August 27, 2025 at 3:38PM

MANASSAS, Va. — The court fight over the Prince William Digital Gateway reached a turning point Wednesday as Judge Kimberly Irving declined to stay her ruling that voided rezonings for the massive data center corridor.

Irving struck down the rezonings on August 7, finding that the county’s public notices ahead of December 2023 hearings did not comply with state and local law. County lawyers and developers had urged her to put the decision on hold while they appealed, warning that the ruling could stall plans for 37 data centers on 2,100 acres along Pageland Lane.

Police searching for missing Woodbridge teen, may be in New York

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 26, 2025 at 1:00PM

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Prince William County Police are asking for the public’s help to find a missing 19-year-old woman who may be in New York City.

Investigators say Faith Charity Pastore was last seen at her home on Troika Court in Woodbridge around 11:30 p.m. on August 24. Police now believe she may be in the Brooklyn area of New York.

Double Murder Conviction, Assaults, and Arrests Across Stafford, Prince William, and Fredericksburg

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 21, 2025 at 9:30AM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

A jury has convicted a man of two counts of first-degree murder in a 2020 Dale City house party shooting that left two dead and two others seriously injured—leading a week full of serious charges, arrests, and property crimes across the region.

Separately, police made two domestic-related felony arrests:

Power’s Out for 1,200 in Occoquan After Accident, Repairs Underway

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 19, 2025 at 1:24PM

OCCOQUAN, Va. – About 1,200 Dominion Energy customers are without power this afternoon after an accident damaged infrastructure in town, officials said.

The Town of Occoquan said crews are working on repairs and that residents may see their power cycle on and off while the work continues.

Man Shot in Gainesville, Jiffy Lube Live Assault, Caustic Substance Used

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 18, 2025 at 11:30AM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

A 47-year-old man was shot in the hand early Sunday morning, August 17, in Gainesville during an unclear altercation with a 60-year-old woman. Police responded around 12:13 a.m. to Bluff Point Court and Pine Knott Court, where they located the injured man and recovered a firearm. The woman was identified at the scene. No charges have been announced as the investigation continues.

In Bristow, police have charged a 17-year-old from Aldie with Assault by Mob in connection with a July 25 attack at Jiffy Lube Live. A group attacked the 16-year-old victim after a concert. The teen suspect is the first to be charged in the case.

Murder Case Ends in 20-Year Prison Sentence

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 17, 2025 at 10:15AM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

MANASSAS, Va. – Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office just told Potomac Local News they’ve secured a conviction in a deadly 2024 shooting on Stream Walk Lane, near Route 234 and Interstate 66, near Manassas. Zahir Abdul-Rahman Mujahid, 39, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Horace Roy Johnson III and has been sentenced to 40 years in prison—with more than 19 years suspended.

The shooting happened the night of November 23, 2024, near Balls Ford Road. Police found Johnson dead at the scene, along with shell casings and a pair of red glasses known to belong to Mujahid. Investigators say Mujahid shot Johnson multiple times after a fight broke out.