Teens Charged In Connection With Fentanyl Overdose Death In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — Two 19-year-olds were arrested in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of a man in the Courthouse area of Arlington County in March, according to the Arlington County Police Department.

Shan Mehmood, 19, of Arlington was charged with involuntary manslaughter, distribution of fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm while possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, police said Wednesday. Mehmood is currently being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Eliana Ayelen Mendoza, 19, of Fairfax was charged with accessory after the fact to manslaughter and was released from custody after posting bond, according to police.

At about 6:45 p.m. on March 7, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of N. Scott Street for the report of a medical emergency. Officers found an unresponsive man in the stairwell of a residential building, suffering from an apparent fentanyl overdose. He was transported to an area hospital and died on March 8, police said.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication, according to police.

Arlington police said detectives assigned to its Organized Crime Section identified Mehmood as the person suspected of supplying the man who died with controlled substances. At the time of Mehmood’s arrest, narcotics and a firearm were recovered, police said.

For people struggling with addiction, Arlington has resources available through the Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative.