Police Tried To Arrest Suspect Before Fatal Reston Shooting

RESTON, VA — One day before a 23-year-old man fatally shot a man at a Reston home, the suspect had faced weapons charges that were dropped in court, according to authorities.

Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortez appeared in Fairfax County General District Court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing on charges of brandishing a firearm and felony malicious wounding. He was arrested Sept. 14 for an incident that occurred on Sept. 12.

On Tuesday, the prosecutor dropped the charges and Morales-Ortez was released from custody, according to court records.

Fairfax County police were aware that Morales-Ortez had been released, according to posts on the department's official X account.

Following his release, a Community Services Board clinician obtained an emergency custody order for Morales-Ortez, which was issued by a magistrate and valid for eight hours, according to police.

"FCPD Reston District patrol officers were then dispatched to serve the ECO and take Morales-Ortez into custody," according to the X post. "FCPD patrol officers responded to the address of record for Morales-Ortez and did not locate him at his residence. The ECO expired shortly thereafter."

Morales-Ortez had previously lived in the home in the 12300 block of Fan Shell Court where Wednesday's deadly shooting occurred.

The victim's name has not yet been released; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, police arrested Morales-Ortez and took him to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was charged with second degree murder.

Morales-Ortez was scheduled to be arraigned in Fairfax County General District Court at 10 a.m. Thursday in connection to Wednesday's fatal shooting. He has a preliminary hearing set for March 11, 2026, according to court records.