Fifth Suspect Arrested In Manassas Mall Shooting: Report

MANASSAS, VA — A fifth suspect was arrested Monday in the July 9 Manassas Mall shooting that injured at least two people, according to Prince William County Police.

Detectives believe all the main suspects in the case have been arrested, but they are still looking for witnesses, Prince William County police Lt. Jonathan Perok said.

Tayvion Omari Thornton, 18, of Woodbridge, was arrested on two counts of principal in the second-degree malicious wounding, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, one count of principal in the second degree willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to Inside NOVA.

Police had responded to the Manassas Mall in the 8300 block of Sudley Road on reports of an active shooting. Officers said shots were fired in a parking lot outside the mall, and the two involved groups dispersed. When an uninvolved witness went into the mall to warn others, panic ensued for a short time.

The two groups met inside the mall at the food court and fought, police said. Both groups had guns and went to the parking lot, where they exchanged gunfire before dispersing.

Other suspects already in custody are:

Eric Ronaldo Benitez, 22, of Manassas, was arrested July 12 and was charged with two counts of malicious wounding, one count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Daevon Russell, 18, of Manassas, and Joshuah Minas Hernandez, 18, of Manassas, were each charged with two counts of malicious wounding, one count of shooting at an occupied building, one count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, one count of carrying a firearm in a public place, and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Skyler James Agley, 23, of Manassas, was charged with one count of malicious wounding, one count of shooting at an occupied building, one count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He remains hospitalized in police custody.

Police had located one of the injured victims, a 51-year-old man who was believed to be an uninvolved bystander, at the scene. The other injured person was one of the suspects, Agley.

A traffic stop not long after the shooting led to two more suspects being detained and later charged — Russell and Minas Hernandez.

Anyone with information about the shooting can contact the Prince William County Police Department tip line at 703-792-7000 or submit a tip to: pwcva.gov/policetip.