Convicted Felon With Loaded Gun Tries To Flee Police Across School Property: ACPD

ARLINGTON, VA — A 25-year-old Falls Church man is facing multiple weapons charges after he attempted to flee police by running across school property Saturday night in the Green Valley neighborhood, according to authorities.

Arlington County police officers on patrol around 10:22 p.m. spotted a wanted suspect walking outside in the 3200 block of 24th Street South. When they shouted commands at him, the man fled on foot across the grounds of Dr. Charles R Drew Elementary, according to the incident report. After a short foot pursuit, the officers took the suspect into custody in the area of South Lowell Street and 22nd Street South.

Police recovered a modified semi-automatic firearm and extended magazine, as well as a distribution amount of suspected narcotics, according to the report. They also confirmed that the suspect, identified as Zakaria Sudi of Falls Church, was a convicted felon, who had outstanding warrants out in Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, as well the Virginia State Police.

Sudi was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a weapon on school grounds, possession of a trigger activator, carrying a loaded firearm in public areas prohibited, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and obstruction of justice. In addition, he was served with the outstanding warrants and then held without bond.

On Monday morning, Sudi was arraigned in Arlington General District Court and he is due back in court on Tuesday morning for a bond hearing, according to court documents. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The most serious charge Sudi is facing is possession with intent to distribute marijuana, which is a Class 5 felony. If convicted on this charge, he faces a possible sentence of one to 10 years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.

The possession of a weapon on school grounds, possession of a trigger activator, possession of ammunition and a nonviolent felon in possession of a gun within 10 years of conviction are all Class 6 felonies. In Virginia, each is punishable by one to five years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Earlier in the year, Sudi missed scheduled court appearances in Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, according to court records. He has a hearing scheduled for Feb. 17, 2026 in Fairfax County General District Court.