Manassas City Police responded to a 911 hang-up call on February 9, 2024, about 7:50 p.m. in the 8600 block of Bruton Parish Court.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a group of individuals who attempted to flee the area. One individual was observed discarding a firearm under a nearby vehicle, leading to their immediate detention by law enforcement, police said.
[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.
Stafford County Sheriff's Office has been actively investigating several incidents recently, spanning a range of offenses. Here's a breakdown of the incidents they've been handling:
Updated: One of the victims involved in the initial stabbing altercation with the suspect has died. All parties involved in the incident were adult males. The surviving victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. A knife was recovered at the scene. The identities of the deceased will be released pending notifications of their next-of-kin, police said.
Original post: Prince William County Police responded to a reported stabbing incident at an apprenticeship training center on Infantry Ridge Road, near Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus, on February 13 at 3:23 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers encountered an individual armed with a knife near the entrance. Multiple officers discharged their firearms, resulting in the suspect being pronounced deceased at the scene, police said.
Two individuals with stab wounds were found and provided with initial medical aid before being transported to nearby hospitals. Their current conditions remain undisclosed. No further victims were discovered, and the situation is under control with no ongoing threat to the community, police said
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting has been handed over to the regional Critical Incident Response Team at the request of Prince William police Chief Peter Newsham, ensuring an independent review of the incident.
An IBEW electrical training center is in the area. However, police have not confirmed it is where the shooting took place.
Barrie, Jr. [Photo: Prince William police]Carjacking and Strong-Arm Robbery
In the late hours of February 11, a disturbing incident unfolded in the 14200 block of Smoketown Road, near Potomac Mills mall in Woodbridge, when an 18-year-old man fell victim to a carjacking and robbery. According to reports, the victim had offered a ride to a group of men, one of whom was identified by police as Ibrahim Jr., an acquaintance. However, what began as a seemingly routine gesture quickly turned violent.
As the victim parked the vehicle in a nearby lot, the situation took a turn when Barrie, Jr. and another individual from the group pursued and tackled the victim in the median of Smoketown Road, police said. The assailants assaulted the victim and took his personal belongings, including phones, wallet, and keys, police said. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan intervened, allowing the victim to escape with only minor injuries.
Officers later discovered the victim’s vehicle abandoned in the vicinity of Westminister Lane. Despite the swift apprehension of Barrie Jr. through the issuance of arrest warrants, the search for other involved parties remains ongoing as authorities diligently pursue leads to ensure all responsible individuals are brought to justice.
Reckless Handling of a Firearm
On the morning of February 10, residents in the area of Orkney Ct. near Knightsbridge Drive in Lake Ridge were rattled by the sound of gunfire, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. An investigation uncovered evidence of reckless firearm use, as shell casings littered the roadway, accompanied by damage to a nearby fence and tree, police said. Miraculously, no injuries or additional property damage were reported, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by irresponsible firearm handling.
Malicious Wounding in Domestic Dispute
Police were called to a domestic altercation on February 11; authorities were summoned to a residence in the 2500 block of Transom Place in Woodbridge to address an incident that escalated into a violent act of malicious wounding, police said. The altercation between a 31-year-old man and a family member, later identified as Virgile Lofton Barber, erupted into physical violence, resulting in the victim sustaining non-life-threatening injuries from a knife attack.
Prompt intervention by other residents halted the assault, allowing for the victim’s medical treatment and the subsequent arrest of Barber, police said. Charged with malicious wounding and domestic assault & battery, police added.
The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amy Ashworth, announced the successful prosecution of Sean Hughes following an April 19, 2023, shooting incident in Triangle. After a trial held on February 2, 2024, a Prince William County jury rendered a verdict of guilty against Hughes on multiple charges, including shooting into an occupied dwelling, shooting from a vehicle, attempted malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, gang participation, gang recruitment, and use of a machine gun for an aggressive purpose.
The case stemmed from an alarming incident last year when Hughes, accompanied by a juvenile co-defendant, unleashed gunfire at a home in Triangle. The barrage of bullets struck a woman inside multiple times, narrowly missing Detective S. Davis and another bystander who were present at the scene. Following the shooting, Hughes and the juvenile fled the area, but police arrested him in Maryland. During the arrest, one of the firearms implicated in the shooting was recovered from the suspects.
Notably, investigations revealed Hughes’s affiliation with the criminal street gang, the Bloods.
Hughes awaits sentencing by a Prince William County Circuit Court Judge on May 23, 2024. This phase of the case will determine Hughes’s consequences for his actions, providing an opportunity for closure and accountability for the victims and their families.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney extended its appreciation to Tammie Thomas, Director of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program, whose invaluable support has assisted the victims and their families throughout this challenging ordeal.
Additionally, it commended the efforts of the Prince William County Police Department, particularly Master Detective D. Cupka, Detective J. Dalbeck, and Detective D. Sekely, whose dedication contributed significantly to the investigation and prosecution of this case.
Amy Ashworth is the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney for Prince William County and Manassas and Manassas Park cities. She was elected in November 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 for another four-year term.
Stafford County authorities have charged a juvenile with multiple swatting incidents that targeted area schools last year, creating widespread panic and concern among students, parents, and staff. The investigation, which spanned several months, culminated in a search warrant executed at the suspect's residence, where investigators seized a large cache of electronic devices.
The young individual, whose identity remains protected due to their minor status, has pleaded guilty to charges including making terroristic threats and the false summoning of law enforcement, states a Stafford sheriff's office press release. This plea led to the forfeiture of all seized electronic devices, marking a crucial step in the legal proceedings and sending a strong message about the consequences of such actions, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office reports, it adds.
Shooting on Same Street Where Woman Was Killed Last Week
Officers responded to a shooting incident on February 7 at 3:25 PM at Benita Fitzgerald Dr. and Brickwood Dr. in Woodbridge. They found a 17-year-old male juvenile with a gunshot wound inside a residence. The juvenile was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigation revealed the juvenile was walking in the area when multiple shots were fired, striking him. A four-door vehicle was seen fleeing the scene. No additional injuries or property damage were reported. The incident occurred on the same street where a North Carolina woman was shot and killed by a stray bullet on Feb. 2, 2024.
Road Rage Involving Gun on Route 234, Near Colgan High School
Police responded to a fight with weapons call on February 4 at 1:20 PM near Colgan High School. A 52-year-old man was involved in a road rage incident with another driver. During the altercation, the accused brandished a firearm and fired a round, striking a nearby vehicle. A brief struggle over the firearm ensued before the victim took possession of it. The accused, Timmy Mitchell DEANE, 57, was arrested and charged with attempted malicious wounding, shooting from a vehicle, and destruction of property.
Infant Found Sitting Alone on Stairs; Boy, 3, Also Found
Officers responded to a found child report on February 5 at 6:59 PM at High Pointe at Rippon Landing Condominiums. They found a 23-month-old boy sitting unsupervised on a stairwell and a 3-year-old boy asleep and unsupervised inside the residence. The father, identified as Ever PLEITEZ-MARTINEZ, returned to the residence intoxicated. He was arrested and charged with felony child neglect and DUI.
Shots Fired into Home
On February 6 at 9:27 PM, officers responded to shots fired at the Regency Apartments near Manassas. Multiple shots were fired, striking an apartment before a dark-colored van was seen leaving the area. No injuries or additional property damage were reported.
Potomac Mills Shopper Robbed Inside Store
A 17-year-old male juvenile was robbed inside Potomac Mills on February 6 at 5:21 PM. The victim was approached by an unknown male who demanded his clothing, implying he had a weapon. The suspect fled the store with the clothing. The suspect was described as a thin male wearing a black mask, a black jacket, and a grey hooded sweatshirt.
Officer Assaulted
On February 8 at 3:44 PM, officers responded to Somerset Point Apartments in Gainesville for a noise violation. While investigating, officers identified a man with active arrest warrants, identified as Joshua Chidi KING. When officers attempted to arrest him, he resisted and struck an officer. The officer was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. KING was arrested and charged with assault & battery on LEO and obstruction of justice.
A bank robbery occurred in North Stafford on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, near Garrisonville Road and Worth Avenue.
Authorities responded to the scene at Carter Bank & Trust following a report of the incident. The suspect, characterized as a black male, donned a black medical mask, a black baseball cap, blue jeans, a dark blue shirt, and a gray North Face jacket.
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