🌱 Huge Rise In Fairfax County Strangulation Cases + Local Gov Discuss

Hey, neighbors. It's Monday in Burke and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Times of sun and clouds. High: 59 Low: 40.
• Tuesday: Sunshine and becoming windier. High: 53 Low: 32.

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Burke, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Burke Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Burke:

1. Judge Gayl Carr, a judge in the county’s juvenile and domestic relations court, said there has been "a significant rise in charges of strangulation, not only in Fairfax County but in the Commonwealth of Virginia and across the nation. But we don’t see a lot of prosecutions or convictions." According to police data, in 2021 there were 83 cases of strangulation in Fairfax County and in 2022 there were 217 instances. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said, "There has been a lot of talk in recent years, and rightly so, that people accused of crimes need second chances. I believe in that for nonviolent offenders. But victims need second chances. We’re in a position to better observe, document and hold people accountable for committing this felony assault by strangulation so then victims can get that second chance." (Subscription: The Washington Post)
2. On Thursday, Mar. 16, Fairfax County Board Supervisor Penny Gross (Mason District) will
   discuss in detail the situations in local government that affect the everyday lives of the public but are not usually covered in depth by the media. Topics include the challenges that Fairfax County currently faces. The presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Pohick Regional Library located at 6450 Sydenstricker Road in Burke. (Burke Patch)
3. Yohannes Nessibu, 28, was convicted of killing two people in Fairfax County over six years ago. Nessibu had fled to Africa after killing Henok Yohannes and later the same night killing Kedest Simeneh in Burke in 2016. Nessibu was extradited in 2019 and now faces up to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge. He will be sentenced on Jun. 16. (WUSA 9)

Today and tomorrow in and around Burke:

Monday, March 6

• Mystery Books SIG At Kings Park Library (1:30 PM)
• Fairfax Uncorked - Jazz and Wine Festival At Historic Blenheim/Civil War Interpretive Center, Fairfax (3:30 PM)

Tuesday, March 7

• Women’s Breakaway Bible Study At Burke Community Church (9:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Fairfax County Police Department identified the two officers involved in the fatal Feb. 22 shooting at the Tysons Corner Center. Officers Sergeant Wesley Shifflett, a 7-year department veteran, and Police Officer First Class James Sadler, an 8-year department veteran, both fired their weapons during the incident that killed 37-year-old Timothy McCree Johnson. (ABC 7)
• Looking for a new home or just curious about the local housing market? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Burke area, including a huge four-bedroom on Leathersmith Court for $899,000! (Burke Patch)
• A kind-eyed, adorable "gentleman" four-year-old dog named Damien is looking for his forever home! View the link or visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter to see Damien and more adoptable pets in your area. (Fairfax County Animal Shelter via Instagram)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.