PWC Police Report for Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - Shootings, stabbing, strangulation, school vandalism

INCIDENTS
• Shooting Investigation – On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 2:17AM, Prince William County Police officers responded to the area near the 13400 block of Hillendale Dr. in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a shooting. The investigation revealed that a 43-year-old man was brought to a fire station near the above location after being shot. The man initially reported to police that he was walking in the wooded area near the above location when he heard a loud noise before being shot in the leg. The man contacted an acquaintance who transported him to a nearby fire station where police were contacted. The man was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers and a police K-9 searched the area and did not locate any evidence of a shooting. The man was not cooperative during the investigation regarding what led up to the shooting or individuals involved. No additional injuries or property damage were reported. The investigation continues.

• Shooting Investigation – On Friday, May 27, 2022 at 4:12PM, Prince William County Police officers responded to the 4000 block of Jasper Lp. in Dumfries (22172) to investigate a shooting. Residents reported to police that they heard multiple gunshots before a white BMW sedan and three unknown males were seen fleeing the area. While checking the area, officers located an unoccupied vehicle parked in front of a residence that sustained damage consistent with being struck by projectiles. A police K-9 searched the area for any suspects who were not located. While canvassing, officers located shell casings in the grass between two nearby homes. No injuries or additional property damage were reported.

• Reckless Handling of a Firearm – On Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 10:45AM, Prince William County Police officers responded to a residence located in the 10000 block of Brandon Way in Manassas (20109) to investigate a shots fired call. The homeowner reported to police that at approximately 1:15AM that morning they woke to a loud noise. Upon inspecting the home later that morning, damage to the air conditioning unit was located. As officers were checking the area, they located damage to the exterior of the home consistent with being struck by a projectile. No rounds entered the home. While canvassing, officers located shell casings on the sidewalk adjacent to the home. No injuries or additional property damage were reported.

• Strangulation | Domestic Assault & Battery – On Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 10:30AM, Prince William County Police officers responded to a residence located in the 13100 block of Haddock Rd. in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a domestic. The victim, a 29-year-old woman, reported to police that earlier that morning she and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused physically prevented the victim from leaving the room before striking her. When the victim attempted to yell out, the accused wrapped his arm around her neck. The victim was eventually able to separate from the accused and contacted the police later that morning. The victim reported minor injuries. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Pedro TERRAZA RAMIREZ. Attempts to locate the accused have been unsuccessful.
Wanted:
Pedro TERRAZA RAMIREZ, 22, of the 13100 block of Haddock Rd. in Woodbridge
Described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’6”, 150lbs., with black hair and brown eyes
Wanted for strangulation, abduction, and domestic assault & battery

• Stabbing Investigation – On Friday, May 27, 2022 at 5:04PM, Prince William County Police officers responded to investigate a stabbing that was reported to have occurred in the 14700 block of Potomac Mills Rd. in Woodbridge (22192) earlier that day. The victim, a 38-year-old man, initially reported to police that while in the above area he was approached by an unknown man who without saying anything, began stabbing the victim. The victim separated from the suspect and ran toward the roadway where he flagged down a passing motorist. The motorist brought the victim, who was suffering from non-life-threatening injuries to an area hospital where the police were contacted. While canvassing the above area, officers checked a nearby homeless camp where they located evidence indicating an incident took place. No additional injuries were reported. No further suspect description is available at this time.
Suspect Description:
A white male, approximately 5’11”, with brown/blond hair

• Vandalism – On Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 1:05PM, the School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Hylton High School located at 14051 Spriggs Rd. in Woodbridge (22193) was notified by school personnel of vandalism to school property. The investigation revealed that sometime between 10:00AM and 12:00PM, swastika symbols, vulgar language, and other inappropriate pictures were drawn on a stall in one of the boy’s bathrooms. The drawings did not appear to contain any threats and school personnel removed the images. No additional markings in the area have been reported.

ARRESTS
• Aggravated Malicious Wounding | Domestic Related – On Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 11:30PM,  Prince William County Police officers responded to the 5300 block of Wellington Branch Dr. in Gainesville (20155) to investigate an assault. The investigation revealed that the victim, a 20-year-old woman, and a family member, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated when the accused shoved the victim. At that point, the victim attempted to contact the police and the accused grabbed her phone before throwing it on the ground. When an acquaintance attempted to intervene, the accused struck the 23-year-old man causing him to fall and strike his head on the ground. The male victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the female victim reported minor injuries. The accused fled prior to police arriving at the location. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Christopher MINTZ, who turned himself in to police the following morning.
Arrested on May 29:
Christopher MINTZ, 19, of 12227 Bradford Park Dr. in Davidson, North Carolina
Charged with aggravated malicious wounding, domestic assault & battery, and preventing the summoning of law enforcement
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable

• Strangulation | Domestic Related – On Friday, May 27, 2022 at 9:15PM, Prince William County Police officers responded to a residence located in the 1900 block of Coppersmith Ter. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a domestic. The victim, a 37-year-old woman, reported to police that she and a family member, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused struck the victim before the two parties temporarily separated. While the victim was in a separate room, the accused entered and put both of his hands around her neck. A brief struggle ensued before the parties separated for a second time and the police were contacted. The victim reported minor injuries. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Aaron VAN STEELANT, was arrested.
Arrested on May 27:
Aaron VAN STEELANT, 44, of the 1900 block of Coppersmith Ter. in Woodbridge
Charged with strangulation and domestic assault & battery
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond

• Possession of a Weapon on School Property – On Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 11:30AM, the School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Freedom High School located at 15201 Neabsco Mills Rd. in Woodbridge (22191) was notified by school personnel that student was in possession of a knife inside the school. The investigation revealed that while school personnel were investigating a violation of school policy, the student, identified as the accused, was found in possession of a knife. The SRO was notified and determined the weapon was never displayed or part of any active threat. Following the investigation, on May 27, the accused, identified as a 15-year-old male juvenile, was arrested.
Arrested on May 27: [Juvenile]
A 15-year-old male juvenile of Woodbridge
Charged with possession of a weapon on school property
Court Date: Pending | Status: Held at the Juvenile Detention Center

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Anyone with information about these the incidents is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703.792.7000 or submit a webtip to: pwcva.gov/policetip.