On May 1 at 10:23AM, officers responded to Benton Middle School located at 7411 Hoadly Rd. in Manassas (20112) to investigate a shots fired call. Upon arrival, officers observed a large number of people fleeing the area before locating a 24-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. Community members, and then officers provided first aid to the victim before the victim was flown to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. At this time, the victim is expected to survive. The initial investigation revealed that during a community event at the outdoor athletic field, two men were engaged in a verbal altercation with an acquaintance, identified as the suspect. At some point the encounter escalated and the suspect retrieved a firearm from his person and fired multiple rounds towards the men, striking both men. One of the men struck was identified as the 24-year-old man whom officers located upon arrival at the school. The second man, identified as a 33-year-old, was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries prior to police arriving in the at the school. Responding officers searched the interior of the school for precautionary reasons and did not locate anyone inside or any property damage. While canvassing outside of the school, police K-9 and officers located a firearm which was collected for further processing. A police K-9 and helicopter assistance from Fairfax County police searched the area for the suspect who was not located. No additional injuries or property damage were reported. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact police.
Suspect Description: A black male with a medium complexion, between 5’6”-5’10”, with a thin build