Alexandria Resident Charged with Second-Degree Murder: Police

PHOTO: Eric Howard Buckner, 23, of Princess Street in Alexandria, was arrested last Tuesday and charged with second degree murder; Santos Rafael Zelaya, 64, died after he was flown to a hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. FCPD photo

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Police have arrested a 23-year old Alexandria resident, the fourth suspect in last year's homicide of Santos Rafael Zelaya, 64, Fairfax County Police announced Tuesday.

Last Tuesday, March 22, detectives located and arrested Eric Howard Buckner of Princess Street in Alexandria, the fourth suspect in the killing of Zelaya on March 26, 2015 at his home in the 6100 block of North King’s Highway, Fairfax County Police said.

Zelaya died of multiple gunshot wounds after he was flown to a hospital. Four suspects were seen fleeing his home in a dark-colored sedan, according to police.

Buckner was charged with second degree murder, according to Fairfax County Police.

Buckner was the second resident from the City of Alexandria arrested in the homicide. Timothy Lamont Washington, 20, was arrested March 11 at his home in the 300 block of Hopkins Court in Alexandria.

The others charged in the homicide are:

• Gregory Brown, 23, of Washington, D.C. was arrested in May 2015
• Niziah Williams, of Clinton, Md. was arrested in May 2015

Although detectives do not believe anyone else is directly involved in this homicide, they would still like to hear from anyone with information about this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637