Prince William County police have identified Joseph Anthony Cassell, 26, as the man who died during an officer-involved shooting on April 26, 2025, inside an apartment at Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home, located at 12191 Clipper Drive. The investigation remains active and is being led by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). More information will be released when available.
Here’s the full press release:
OCCOQUAN, Va. — Two new historical markers have been installed in Occoquan, highlighting little-known aspects of the town’s early economic and environmental history.
Funded by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), the markers are located near the Mill House Museum and Mamie Davis Park. The project is part of a broader effort to add interpretive signage along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which runs through the town.
Editor’s Note:
This is the second in our three-part series on the future of Virginia Railway Express (VRE). We’re breaking down VRE’s bold System Plan 2050 — and what it means for you.
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.
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.
Councilwoman Nancy Freeborn Britain, who was elected to the Town Council in 2022, formally announced her resignation, citing a new career opportunity that will take her to Staunton during the workweek. Britain was recently hired as the Program Director for a master’s degree program at Mary Baldwin University, where she will oversee 120 students and serve as a department chair.
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.
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At the April 18, 2025, VRE Operations Board meeting, planners unveiled a sweeping System Plan that would transform VRE from a traditional commuter service into a true regional backbone — connecting communities across the region with frequent, reliable rail service.
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:
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, 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.
