Loudoun Double Homicide Suspect From Alexandria Is MS-13 Gang Member: Sheriff

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Authorities have made an arrest in the August double homicide in Sterling, and Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said the suspect is an MS-13 gang member.

The victims, Mijal Conejero-Romera, 22, of Sterling, and her friend, Diego Alexander Woollett, 22, of Arlington, were fatally shot during an altercation in the 21000 block of Ridgetop Circle. The shooting happened around 4:33 a.m. on Aug. 28 in the commercial and residential area.

The sheriff's office has been seeking information on the suspect and offered a $25,000 reward for an arrest. On Friday, the sheriff's office announced Marlyn Medrano-Ortiz, 18, of Alexandria was arrested.

Marlyn Medrano-Ortiz has been charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.

"We look forward to seeing justice served for the victims of this crime, and this arrest sends a strong message that violence in Loudoun will not be tolerated. We will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you," Chapman said at a news conference Friday.

Alexandria Police recognized the suspect from a law enforcement bulletin the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office had shared. Around 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, police spotted Medrano-Ortiz in the 4100 block of Mount Vernon Avenue.

He was arrested in collaboration with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.

"I want to thank the officers of our [Neighborhood Resource Unit] for their diligence and observance while on patrol," said Alexandria Assistant Chief of Police Easton McDonald. "They used good intelligence and relied on their knowledge of the areas they patrol to apprehend a violent criminal. We thank them for their dedication to keeping our City safe."

At a news conference Friday, Chapman said Marlyn Medrano-Ortiz is a known member of the MS-13 gang and is an undocumented immigrant. The sheriff's office has been outspoken about opposing the presence of MS-13 and other gangs in the region and leniency with undocumented immigrants who commit criminal offenses.

"I am on record strongly opposing the presence of MS-13 and other violent gangs in our nation and local communities," said Chapman. "MS-13 is an El Salvador-based gang that uses intimidation, crime, and violence as tools of the trade, and there should be no safe place for them here."

The sheriff thanked law enforcement for their investigative work, Commonwealth's Attorney Bob Anderson for assisting with the case, and the community for tips to help identify the suspect. According to Chapman, sheriff's office personnel canvassed 320 residential units and 30 businesses, used 39 search warrants and reviewed over 950 hours of video, multiple cell phones and laptops, tower dumps, license plate readers and other sources.