ADDITIONAL ARREST – On July 15, a fifth suspect, identified as Tayvion Omari Thorton, who was sought in connection to the shooting that occurred at Manassas Mall located at 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas (20109) on July 9, was arrested.
At this time, investigators believe the main suspects involved in the shooting have been identified and arrested. Additional individuals are being sought as potential witnesses to the incident. Four other adult men were previously arrested in connection to this case.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a webtip to: pwcva.gov/policetip.
Arrested on July 15:
Tayvion Omari THORNTON, 18, of no fixed address
Charged with 2 counts of principal in the 2nd degree malicious wounding, 1 count of carrying a concealed weapon, 1 count of principal in the second degree willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and 1 count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Prince William Police Update, July 12 at 5:13 p.m.: ADDITIONAL ARREST | WANTED SUSPECT
Over the course of the investigation, detectives have identified and charged two additional men in connection to the shooting that occurred at Manassas Mall located at 8300 Sudley Rd in Manassas (20109), on July 9.
One of those men, identified as Eric Ronaldo Benitez, has since been taken into custody. The second suspect, identified as Tayvion Omari Thornton, is currently being sought and attempts to locate this individual have been unsuccessful.
At this time, investigators believe the main suspects involved in the shooting have been identified and charged. Additional individuals are being sought as potential witnesses to the incident. Three other adult men were previously arrested in connection to this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a webtip to: pwcva.gov/policetip. The investigation continues.
Arrested on July 10:
Eric Ronaldo BENITEZ, 22, of 7647 Croce Ct, #T3, in Manassas, was charged with 2 counts of malicious wounding, 1 count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and 1 count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Wanted:
Tayvion Omari THORNTON, 18, of the 14100 block of Cove Landing Dr in Woodbridge is described as a black male, 6’0”, 160lbs with black hair and brown eyes.
He is wanted for 2 counts of principal in the 2nd degree malicious wounding, 1 count of carrying a concealed weapon, 1 count of principal in the second degree willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and 1 count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Prince William Police Update, July 10 at 9:11 a.m.: Police charge three men in connection to the July 9 Manassas Mall shooting.
July 9, Prince William County detectives charged three men in connection to the shooting that occurred at Manassas Mall at 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas at approximately 2 p.m.
Police had detained two suspects Daevon Russel, 18, of 9306 Taney Road, Manassas, and Joshuah Minas Hernandez, 18, of 8318 Shady Grove Circle, Manassas, at a traffic stop they established shortly after the shooting occurred.
Both 18-year-olds were in Manassas on July 9. They were charged with 2 counts of malicious wounding, 1 count of shooting at an occupied building, 1 count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, 1 count of carrying a firearm in a public place, and 1 count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony
Their court dates are pending. Bond is unavailable.
The third man charged, Skyler James Agley, 23, of Manassas, was one of two men injured during the altercation. Police have determined him to be a part of one of the groups involved in the shooting incident. He remains hospitalized in police custody.
Skyler James Agley of 7600 Gales Ct, #103, in Manassas was charged with 1 count of malicious wounding, 1 count of shooting at an occupied building, 1 count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and 1 count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony
Agley's court date is pending. He remains hospitalized. There is no photo of him available.
Investigators are still seeking the identities of several other suspects.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to identify the pictured suspects or can otherwise aid in the investigation is asked to contact police at 703-792-6500. The investigation continues.
NOTE: The masked woman appearing in the photos previously released of the unidentified suspects involved in this incident has been determined to be a hospital employee who was not involved in the shooting. The photos had been obtained from the hospital and depicted one of the injured men being dropped off at the facility. These suspects fled shortly thereafter before police arrived at the location.
POLICE UPDATE, July 9 at 10 p.m. Prince William Police Seek Suspects in Manassas Mall Shooting
SUSPECTS SOUGHT – Prince William County detectives are seeking the identities of several parties in connection to the shooting that occurred at Manassas Mall located at 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas (20109) on July 9.
The investigation revealed two groups met at the mall near the food court where a physical altercation ensued. During the encounter, multiple firearms were brandished by both groups before the altercation exited into the parking lot. Once in the parking lot, outside the mall, shots were exchanged between both groups before the parties dispersed. No shots were fired inside the mall.
One of the injured parties from the group, identified as a 23-year-old man, was driven by other associates to an area hospital where police were notified.
An uninvolved bystander, identified as a 51-year-old man, was located at the scene and treated at an area hospital for a wound to the upper body.
Both men are expected to survive.
A search of the area by a police K-9, resulted in evidence including multiple firearms being recovered.
Additionally, two men were detained nearby following a traffic stop shortly after the shooting. Charges are pending.
Multiple resources from Manassas City Police, Manassas Park Police, the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax County police helicopter, and the Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue responded to the scene to offer assistance.
Detectives are actively seeking the identities of the pictured suspects in connection to this incident. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to identify the pictured suspects or can otherwise aid in the investigation is asked to contact police at 703-792-6500. The investigation continues.
UPDATE: July 9, 5:20 p.m. Police believed the shooter never entered the building.
PRINCE WILLIAM POLICE- Officers responded to Manassas Mall located at 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas (20109) to investigate a shooting-in-progress, July 9 at 2:08 p.m. Arriving officers conducted a precautionary search of the building resulting in no active scene being identified.
Preliminary indications are an altercation occurred outside the mall in the parking lot between two groups. At one point during the encounter, shots were fired, and the parties dispersed. Uninvolved parties and possible witnesses ran into the mall alerting others to the incident in the parking lot, sparking initial panic.
Two injured parties have been identified, one was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the lower body where police were notified, and the other was located on the scene with a minor wound to the lower body believed to have been caused by a ricochet.
No additional information is known about these individuals or their possible involvement, if any, in the incident. Both parties are expected to survive.
A vehicle has been stopped near the incident and additional parties have been detained. Their involvement in the incident has not been confirmed at this time.
Police remain on the scene. The incident is contained and is not believed to be random.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to aid in the investigation to contact police at 703-792-6500. General access to the mall may be restricted at this time as the investigation continues.
Released circa 3:30 p.m., Tuesday
Prince William Police responded to reports of shots fired at Manassas Mall, around 2 p.m., today, according to a police social media post. Police are on the scene, conducting an investigation.
“Prince William Police are actively investigating a report of shots being fired in the 8300 block of Sudley Road,” Prince William Police wrote on its Facebook page, July 9, at approximately 2:15 p.m.
"Officers arrived on the scene to do a precautionary check of the building."
While searching the building, officers located two people suffering from injuries.
“The incident is contained and does not appear to be random," wrote the PIO.
Prince William Police recommend avoiding the area at this time and following police directions.
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