PWC Police Report for Jan. 8, 2024: Man charged with murder

INCIDENTS
• Armed Robbery – On January 5, 2024 at 11:30PM,  Prince William County Police officers responded to the 15300 block of Blacksmith Ter. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed a 16-year-old male juvenile, accompanied by a 15-year-old male acquaintance arranged to sell marijuana to three other juveniles via a social media app at a nearby playground. During the encounter, the three juvenile suspects struck both victims with firearms before taking the marijuana and fleeing on foot. Minor injuries were reported by one of the victims. The suspects were described as black males wearing dark-colored clothing.

• Strong-Arm Robbery – On January 6 at 10:30PM, Prince William County Police officers responded to the Woodlee Terrace Apartments located in the 12500 block of Gordon Blvd. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed the victim, a 28-year-old man, was he was approached by two unknown men as he exited hisapartment building. During the encounter, the men demanded money from the victim. When the victim refused, the suspects pushed, chocked, and kicked the victim before taking his money. The suspects then fled the area on foot. Minor injuries were reported. Officers and a police K-9 searched the area for the suspects who were not located.
Suspect Descriptions:
• A light-skinned male, in his 30’s, approximately 6’2”, with a thicker build and a full beard
Last seen wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and baggy pants
• A black male, approximately 5’11”, with a thin build, and a goatee
Last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black baggy pants

Reckless Handling of a Firearm | Road Rage Related On January 6 at 12:46PM,  Prince William County Police officers responded to the area of Gideon Dr. near Smoketown Rd. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a shots fired call. The investigation revealed the victim, a 28-year-old man, was driving on Gideon Rd. when he was involved in a road rage incident with the driver of a black Chevrolet Tahoe. Both vehicles stopped near the above intersection where the victim approached the driver of the Tahoe where a verbal altercation escalated.
During the encounter, the driver of the Tahoe brandished a firearm and fired a round into the air before fleeing. No injuries or property damage reported. The driver was described as a Hispanic male wearing a red hat and a grey hooded sweatshirt.

Reckless Handling of a Firearm – On January 4, 2024 at 9:17PM, Prince William County Police officers responded to Lindsay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram located at 8100 Centreville Rd. in Manassas (20111) to investigate a destruction of property. The investigation revealed an employee located a vehicle on the lot with a bullet hole and fragment in the hood. The vehicle was struck sometime between 5:45PM and 8:30PM, the vehicle was both parked on the lot and used in a test drive. It is currently unknown where the vehicle was struck. No injuries or additional property damage were reported.

ARRESTS
Murder Investigation – On January 6, 2024 at 5:04PM, Prince William County Police officers responded to investigate a shooting that reportedly occurred in the area of Possum Point Rd. and Leonard St. in Dumfries (22026) earlier that day. Officers were initially called to an area hospital where a 24-year-old woman was brought to the facility suffering from a gunshot wound and later died.
The preliminary investigation revealed her husband, later identified as the accused, brought the victim to the hospital after the shooting occurred and provided detectives with an account of what led up to the shooting. While investigating the incident, additional information and the weapon believed to be used during the shooting were turned over to police. Further investigation revealed the accused was involved in the incident. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Daniel Okoe LAWSON, was arrested. Detectives are continuing their investigation to determine what led up to the shooting and the shooting location. Anyone with information that could aid investigators in this investigation are asked to contact police.
Arrested on January 7:
Daniel Okoe LAWSON, 24, of 14306 Jeffries Rd., Apt #602, in Woodbridge
Charged with felony murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and shooting into an occupied vehicle
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
Identified:
The deceased was identified as Desire Alexandria BUGGS, 24, of Woodbridge

Strangulation | Domestic Related – On January 6, 2024 at 9:27PM, Prince William County Police officers responded to a residence located in the 3700 block of Turn Back Trl. in Triangle (22172) to investigate a domestic dispute. The investigation revealed the victim, a 20-year-old man, and a family member, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. At one point during the encounter, the accused brandished a firearm before using the firearm to physically strike the victim. The accused then grabbed the victim’s neck before the parties separated. Minor injuries were reported. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Carlyle Matthew MITCHELL, was arrested.
Arrested on January 6:
Carlyle Matthew MITCHELL, 38, of the 3700 block of Turn Back Trl. in Triangle
Charged with strangulation, brandishing a firearm, and domestic assault & battery
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond

• Strangulation | Domestic Related – On December 29, 2023 Prince William County Police officers responded to investigate a domestic dispute that was reported to have occurred in the 16500 block of River Ridge Blvd. in Woodbridge (22191) during the afternoon of December 22. The investigation revealed the victim, a 22-year-old woman, and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation in a parked vehicle that escalated. During the encounter, the accused got on top of the victim and struck her before grabbing her neck. At one point, the victim was physically prevented from getting out of the vehicle by the accused. After the accused drove out of the area, the victim was able to leave the vehicle. Minor injuries were reported. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Daniel Xavier COWARD, who was taken into custody on January 7, 2024.
Arrested on January 7, 2024:
Daniel Xavier COWARD, 23, of 301 Wingfoot Ct. in Accokeek, MD
Charged with strangulation, abduction, and domestic assault & battery
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable

• Assault & Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] – On January 5 at 10:36PM, Prince William County Police officers responded to a residence located in the 14500 block of Earlham Ct. in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a domestic dispute. While investigating the incident, officers identified the primary aggressor as the accused. When officer’s attempted to detain the accused, he actively resisted and refused to follow officers’ commands. During the brief struggle, the accused pushed an officer and elbowed a second officer before being detained without further incident. An initial party involved in the domestic and an officer reported minor injuries. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Jason Antonio SOSA, was arrested.
Arrested on January 5:
Jason Antonio SOSA, 24, of the 14500 block of Earlham Ct. in Woodbridge
Charged with 2 counts of assault & battery on LEO, 1 count of domestic assault & battery, and 1 count of obstruction of justice
Court Date: Pending | Bond: $2,500 Unsecured Bond

• Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds – On January 3, 2024 at 1:38PM, the School Security Officer (SRO) assigned to Potomac High School located at 3401 Panther Pride Dr. in Dumfries (22026) was alerted to a student in possession of a weapon. The investigation revealed the student, identified as the accused, was being detained on an unrelated detention order when he was found in possession of a knife. The SRO determined at no time did the accused brandish the weapon in a way to threaten students, faculty, or staff. Following the investigation, the SRO obtained petitions for the accused, identified as a 15-year-old male juvenile. On January 6, after consultation with Juvenile Court Services, the case resulted in a formal action and will be handled through the court process at a later date.
Charged on January 6: [Juvenile]
A 15-year-old male juvenile of Dumfries
Charged with possession of weapon on school grounds
Court Date: Pending | Status: Charged/Petitions Obtained
-end-

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