Alexandria Man Dies In-Custody At Fairfax County Lockup

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A 32-year-old Alexandria man being held in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center died early Thursday morning, after he was found unresponsive in his cell, according to authorities.

Officers responded around 7:55 p.m. on Wednesday to the 8000 block of Leesburg Pike in Tysons for the report of disorderly conduct.

"The complainant advised an adult male was harassing customers," according to police. "Officers located the man nearby screaming at a community member. Officers noticed the smell of alcohol on the man and took him into custody."

Officers arrested 32-year-old Omar Maknassi of Alexandria to the ADC, where he was charged with being drunk in public.

After finding Maknassi unresponsive in his cell early Thursday morning, Fairfax County Sheriff's deputies and emergency medical service personnel immediately performed life-saving measures, but he was later declared deceased at the ADC.

Following county policy, detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department's Major Crimes Bureau are investigating the circumstances leading up to Maknassi's death. Foul play is not suspected, according to police.

Prior to his arrest on Wednesday night, Maknassi was out on bail in connection to a June 17 arrest, according to court records. He had been charged with assault and battery, stealing property of more than $5/pickpocketing, being disorderly in public and being drunk in public. He was scheduled to face those charges during a Sept. 2 preliminary hearing in Fairfax County General District Court.