Update on May 24 parking lot fight and shooting involving off-duty PWC sheriff’s deputy

Shooting Investigation *UPDATE

On May 30, detectives from Prince William County Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit charged a suspect in connection with a May 24 fight resulting in a shooting which occurred in the 7400 block of Willoughby Ln in Manassas, according to a report from Sgt. Jonathan Perok, police department spokesman.

Perok’s report said that according to the investigation, an off-duty Prince William County sheriff’s deputy, who resided on the property as a security resident, responded from his residence to the sounds of shots being fired in the parking lot area of the complex.

The report said that when the deputy went outside, he encountered a large group of individuals actively engaged in a fight. The deputy observed one of the parties, identified as the accused arrested on May 30, Herson Isaias ZELAYA, armed with a weapon and run from the scene.  The deputy issued several verbal commands to the accused to drop the weapon. All commands were ignored, according to the investigative report.

At one point during the foot chase, the accused dropped the weapon. The accused then turned back to retrieve the firearm, at which time, additional verbal commands were given by the deputy. The accused continued to disregard those commands and moved towards the weapon. At that point, the investigative resport stated, “the deputy discharged one round from his department issued service weapon.”

The accused was not struck. A separate adult male, who was part of the initial large crowd gathered for the fight, was inadvertently struck by the ricocheting bullet. This man was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries and released, Sgt. Perok said in the police department report.

When the police department investigators consulted with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for Prince William County, the shooting by the off-duty deputy was determined to be justified, Perok stated.

Special Investigations detectives investigated the initial call regarding the fight. Additional charges were obtained in connection to that incident.

The Prince William County Police Department remains the lead agency handling this investigation. Prince William County Sheriff’s Office is continuing a separate administrative Investigation.
         
Arrested on May 30:
          Herson Isaias ZELAYA, 19, of 11317 Democracy Ln in Manassas
          Charged with assault on a law enforcement officer and assault by mob
          Court Date: July 25, 2018 | Bond: Unavailable

Charged on May 25:
          A 16-year-old male of Manassas
          Charged with reckless handling of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a juvenile
          Court Date: Pending | Status: Unavailable

Shooting Investigation [Previously Released] – On May 24 at 11:16PM, officers responded to the Fields of Manassas apartment complex located in the 7400 block of Willoughby Ln in Manassas (20109) to investigate a shots fired call. When officers arrived in the area, they located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. That man was transported to an area hospital for treatment and has since been released. The investigation revealed that a large group had gathered in the above area and were actively fighting. At one point, someone in the group brandished a firearm and fired multiple times into the air. The gunfire prompted several residents in the complex to contact the Public Safety Communications Center. Prior to officers arriving, a security resident of the apartment complex, identified as an off-duty Prince William County sheriff’s deputy, confronted multiple individuals who were running from the area. During the encounter, the deputy, who was armed and not in uniform, fired a handgun and struck the adult male initially located by officers. Prince William County police officers began arriving in the area shortly thereafter. The deputy was not injured and no other injuries or property damage were reported. A police K-9 and helicopter from Fairfax County police assisted with an area search for individuals involved in the fight. Multiple individuals were subsequently detained. The Prince William County Police Department is the lead agency handling this investigation. The Prince William County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a separate administrative investigation into the incident. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.