The suspect, identified as Donald Antonio Barahona Quinonez, 28, of no fixed address, faces charges including three counts of murder, one count of aggravated malicious wounding, four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and four counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling.
The incident, initially reported as a quadruple shooting on Birchdale Avenue, left three men dead and a fourth man seriously injured. The victims have been identified as Edwin Geovanny Salmeron, 37; Luis Alonzo Salgado-Rivas, 41; and Kevin Josue Vallencillo Mendoza, 23, all of Woodbridge.
Prince William police said that the suspect, armed with a firearm, began shooting during a gathering inside the home. Two victims died on the same day, and a third victim succumbed to injuries the following day. The surviving victim is expected to recover.
Prince William County police had previously identified Barahona Quinonez as the suspect and issued arrest warrants. The suspect had fled the scene immediately after the shooting, prompting a reward offer of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
The recent development of the suspect’s arrest in El Salvador adds an international dimension to the case. Authorities are coordinating efforts to bring him back to the United States for legal proceedings.
Police will continue its investigation into the incident, seeking to determine the motives and events leading up to the shooting. Detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
In response to the recent surge in crime rates in Prince William County, Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin is set to host a Zoom town hall meeting on Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m. The town hall aims to address community concerns and provide insights into the county’s current public safety situation.
The decision to hold this annual town hall comes on the heels of a shooting in Woodbridge, resulting in the first homicide victim in Prince William County for the year 2024. A woman lost her life after being shot and taken to a local hospital.
Franklin will be joined by Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham and Captain Dave Smith as guest speakers for the event.
The county’s annual 2023 crime report underscored concerning trends in violent crime, with a staggering 70% increase from 2019 to 2022. This category encompasses offenses such as murder, manslaughter, rape, sodomy, and robbery.
The report showed the overall crime rate had surged by 23% in the past year alone, translating to 38 reported crimes per 1,000 county residents, up from 32 in 2021. Most of the increased crime has been reported along the Route 1 corridor in Woodbridge.
Prince William County saw 22 homicides in 2023, two more than in 2022.
The town hall will be conducted virtually. Here’s the Zoom event link, and for those who prefer to watch without active participation, the live stream will be available on YouTube at YouTube.com/@WoodbridgeBOCS.
Franklin, a Democrat, has entered the race for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. This move follows the announcement by incumbent Democrat Abigail Spanberger that she will not seek re-election but instead run for Virginia’s governorship in 2025.
Derrick Anderson, a U.S. Army Green Beret from Spotsylvania, is vying for the Republican nomination after an unsuccessful attempt in the 2022 GOP Primary Election.
Franklin recently secured re-election to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and has been part of a progressive majority that has brought significant changes to the county government.
Notable decisions include hiring Christopher Shorter as one of the highest-paid county executives in the Washington, D.C., region and advocating for increased police salaries. Franklin also played a role in establishing a racial and social justice commission while voting to abolish a federal partnership on immigration enforcement.
Despite active community engagement, Franklin has faced criticism from restaurant owners in her district, particularly regarding a contentious meals tax. Former Chair At-large Ann Wheeler, who faced criticism alongside Franklin, lost the 2023 Primary Election to Democrat Deshundra Jefferson, now the At-large Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
Franklin’s political background includes eight years as a congressional aide and subsequent work as the vice president of a PR firm starting in 2020. The 7th District, covering eastern Prince William County, leans towards Democrats and includes Stafford, Spotsylvania counties, and Fredericksburg.
On Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., a disturbance unfolded at Brooke Point High School, located at 1700 Courthouse Road. Deputy D.J. Taylor, fulfilling his School Resource Officer (SRO) duties, responded to the commotion caused by two students engaged in a physical altercation.
Upon arrival, school staff assisted in separating the two students involved in the fight. Investigation revealed that student one had initiated the confrontation by approaching student two with the intention of starting a fight. As the victim tried to disengage from the situation, she became the target of an assault by the aggressor.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Prince William police reported the following incidents:
Shooting Investigation:
– Occurred on January 17 at Elevations One Apartments in Woodbridge
– 23-year-old man with gunshot wounds, non-life-threatening injuries
– No evidence found at the reported location; investigation ongoing
Strong-Arm Robbery – Suspect Identified and Arrested:
– Arrested: Alexander Garjay KAY-KAY, 19, of 10316 Butternut Cl. near Manassas
– Charged with robbery
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Status: Remains Incarcerated
Attempted Strong-Arm Robbery:
– Occurred on December 6 at Walmart in Haymarket
– Victim, a 29-year-old man, was assaulted during a phone sale transaction
– Suspect fled on foot; no injuries reported
Abduction | Domestic Related – Suspect Arrested:
– Arrested: Franklin Humberto GUZMAN-CANALES, 23, of 6708 Tower Dr. in Alexandria
– Charged with abduction and domestic assault & battery
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Domestic Dispute and Assault:
– Occurred on December 21 at a residence in Woodbridge
– Victim, a 22-year-old woman, was physically assaulted by the accused
– Victim treated for non-life-threatening injuries
Aggravated Sexual Battery – Accused Arrested:
– Arrested: Juan Carlos VIDES GUEVARA, 26, of 3913 Findley Dr. in Woodbridge
– Charged with aggravated sexual battery, attempted aggravated sexual battery, and forcible sodomy
– Arrest Date: January 9
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Strangulation | Domestic Related – Juvenile Arrested:
– Arrested: 17-year-old male juvenile of Woodbridge
– Charged with strangulation
– Arrest Date: January 17
– Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held at the Juvenile Detention Center
Prince William police reported the following incidents:
Indecent Exposure – January 16, 9:11 AM
On January 16, at 9:11 a.m. officers responded to the area of Potomac Mills Road near Opitz Blvd. in Woodbridge to investigate an indecent exposure incident. Two female victims, aged 29 and 37, reported that an unknown man, identified as Rodney Kayne BYRNE, exposed himself and made inappropriate gestures. The women promptly contacted the police, leading to the detention of the accused without incident. Following the investigation, Rodney Kayne BYRNE, 33, of no fixed address, was charged with indecent exposure. His court date is pending, and he has been released on a court summons.
Aggravated Malicious Wounding | Domestic Related – January 14, 2:14 AM
On January 14 at 2:14 a.m, officers responded to a home in the 3400 block of Logstone Drive in Triangle for a domestic dispute. The investigation revealed a verbal altercation between a 48-year-old woman (the victim) and a family member identified as Nelson VILLATORO MORALES. The situation escalated, and the accused pushed the victim, causing her to fall down the stairs.
The victim was transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Following the investigation, Nelson VILLATORO MORALES, 46, of the 3400 block of Logstone Dr. in Triangle, was arrested and charged with aggravated malicious wounding and domestic assault & battery. His court date is pending, and he is held without bond.
Incidents Investigated by Stafford County Sheriff's Office:
Drugs
On 1/15, 7:34 p.m., Deputy E.T. Osborn responded to a disturbance at Walgreens, 50 White Oak Road. A male acting strangely was wanted out of Spotsylvania. During arrest, drug paraphernalia and a suspected controlled substance (claimed to be Viagra) were found. The suspect faced charges and was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Stafford County Sheriff's Office: "A Stafford man was arrested on Friday for animal cruelty after a brandishing incident last month brought the animal abuse to light."
"On December 29, 2023 deputies responded to Knollwood Court for a disturbance with a weapon. Deputy S.M. Eastman investigated the disturbance and learned Rickey Carr, 30, had been beating his pit bull named Demon with a stick. When other members of the home confronted Carr about the abuse, Carr brandished a handgun."
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
On January 14, 2024, at 4:19 p.m., Manassas City Police responded to a shooting report in the Brentwood neighborhood. A 31-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the leg was found near Digges Road and Forum Way.
Officers provided immediate assistance, and the victim was transported to a local hospital.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Bel O’Neill, president of the committee, said the committee’s decision to focus on human trafficking coincided with National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. While initially unaware of the national event, the alignment added importance to the local initiative, she added.
A panel comprising experts such as Wesley Dawson, director of the office of community safety in Prince William County, Detective Abigail McLaughlin, with Prince William police special victims unit, and representatives from ACTS and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of human trafficking.
O’Neill emphasized the importance of bringing professionals from various agencies together to address the issue comprehensively.
The median annual household income in Prince William County is $123,000, $48,400 higher than the national median income.
Considering the stereotype that human trafficking is not associated with affluent neighborhoods, O’Neill emphasized the committee’s commitment to bringing attention to lesser-known issues affecting the community.
The goal is not only to discuss the problem but also to highlight available resources and agencies. O’Neill added that the meeting aims to allow the audience to determine the issue’s significance.
The event, hosted at Montclair Golf Club, follows a dinner program meeting format. Attendees can interact with speakers during the meal and participate in a question-and-answer session at the end of the presentation. O’Neill described it as a chance for community members to connect with experts and delve deeper into the subject.
While the dinner meeting costs $35 for members and $40 for non-members or guests, reservations are encouraged. Observer-only seats are also available on a first-come, first-served basis for those unable to attend the dinner. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the panel discussion begins at 7:30 p.m.
The Prince William Committee of 100, a civic nonprofit organization, has existed for 35 years. The group holds community conversations about local matters affecting those who live and work in the county, Manassas, and Manassas Park cities at various locations in the county and cities.
O’Neill mentioned that the committee strives for 100 members, having 42 for the current program year. Membership, costing $40 annually, offers benefits supporting the committee’s mission.
O’Neill encouraged interested individuals to join by attending a meeting, filling out a membership form at the check-in table, or contacting the committee via email. Membership information is also available on the committee’s website.
The Montclair Golf Club is at 16500 Edgewood Drive in Montclair.
