The arrest of Jose Rafael Lizama, a 47-year-old resident of Manassas Park, has stirred concerns following the death of Justin Burns on December 2, 2023.
Burns, a beloved figure known for his altruism and community service, was fatally struck by a drunk driver while walking the streets near Old Town Sports Pub in Downtown Manassas.
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.
In a joint operation, the Manassas City Police Department, working in collaboration with the Prince William County Vice Narcotics Task Force, Prince William County Street Crimes Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), successfully executed arrest and search warrants leading to the apprehension of four individuals involved in the possession and distribution of narcotics, as well as illegal possession of firearms within Manassas.
During the operation, law enforcement arrested four individuals, revealing a significant cache of illegal narcotics and firearms in their possession. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed at a home in Manassas, resulting in the seizure of additional contraband, Manassas police state in a press release.
In connection with the shooting incident in the Brentwood neighborhood on January 14, 2024, Manassas City Police have arrested 33-year-old William Callaway. He was apprehended on January 25, and was found illegally carrying a concealed weapon at the time of his arrest, said police spokeswoman Alexis Williams.
Callaway is currently held without bond at the Prince William Detention Center, facing charges of Aggravated Malicious Wounding and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. This arrest follows the earlier incident where a 31-year-old male victim was shot in the leg near the intersection of Digges Road and Forum Way.
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.
One person was found suffering a gunshot wound at Digges Road near the intersection of Bruton Parish Court, near the Canterbury Village shopping plaza in Manassas, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.
It’s unclear if the victim was found lying on a street or inside a home. Police have released a few details on the case and aren’t expected to release the report until tomorrow, Jan. 16, 2024.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of retired Manassas City Police Chief Sam Ellis. Chief Ellis served our city as chief from 1984 to 1992. He moved us toward a modern law enforcement agency, focused on community service,” Manassas police posted.
“Chief Ellis led the department through our darkest, hardest era. The murder of Sergeant John Conner III in 1988. Our thoughts are with the Ellis family,” writes Chief Douglas Keen.
Updated 3 p.m. — Manassas police closed a portion of Center Street at Main Street in Downtown Manassas for a crash.
Police reported the crash at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Police reopened the street at 7:50 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023.
Fraternal Order of Police, Battlefield Lodge 43: “Fraternal Order of Police, Battlefield Lodge 43 kicks off their annual Santa Cops 2023 charity event on December 2nd at Potomac Mills Walmart and again on December 9th at the Manassas Mall Walmart.”
“Uniformed law enforcement officers unite from Prince William County Police, Prince William Adult Detention Center, Prince William County Sheriff’s Office, Dumfries Police, Virginia State Police, Manassas City Police, Manassas Park Police and GMU Police donate their time to take 100+ selected at risk children, ranging in ages 5-10 Christmas shopping in hopes of making their Christmas special. The children are then escorted in cruisers in a convoy of lights and sirens over to breakfast. On December 2nd breakfast will be held at the Woodbridge Church of the Nazarene who have graciously donated their building for the breakfast, and on December 9th breakfast is graciously donated by the Park West Lions Club!”
