Herndon, Virginia – Police in Herndon, Virginia have identified the suspect believed to be responsible for the fatal shooting of a teenager on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities are actively searching for 18-year-old Ismael Cruz-Delcid, issuing an arrest warrant for his involvement in the tragic incident.
Eyewitnesses recounted a confrontation among three teenagers that escalated into violence in a hotel parking lot on Coppermine Road. Cruz-Delcid allegedly arrived at the scene, engaged in a physical altercation with two other teens, and subsequently fired a gun at them. The motive behind the shooting remains undisclosed by the Fairfax County police.
Tragically, one of the teenagers sustained fatal injuries from the gunshots and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The identity and age of the deceased victim have not been disclosed to the public. Fortunately, the other victim managed to escape unharmed and provided crucial information to the authorities in identifying the assailant.
Following the shooting, Cruz-Delcid reportedly fled the scene on foot, leaving his Honda Civic behind. Witnesses in the area recounted hearing commotion before the gunshots rang out, prompting heightened police presence and a search operation for the suspect near Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary School.
Fairfax County police have issued arrest warrants for Cruz-Delcid on charges of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in a felony, and distribution of cocaine stemming from a prior narcotics investigation. The authorities urge anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to contact them promptly to aid in the ongoing investigation.
In response to the tragic incident, victim specialists from the Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to support the victim’s family during this challenging time, providing vital resources and assistance. The community remains on edge as law enforcement officers continue to maintain a heightened presence in the area surrounding the hotel where the shooting took place.