MANASSAS, Va. — A fifth suspect has been arrested in connection to the shooting at Manassas Mall last week that wounded two people.
>The video above first aired on July 12, 2024.
Four people were already in custody in connection to the July 9 shooting that wounded two men – ages 23 and 51.
Prince William County Police said there was a fight between two groups at the food court when they began to pull out their guns. They began firing at each other when the fight reached the parking lot.
Muhammad Tahir, 51, was in the parking lot when he was caught in the crossfire around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Tahir said one of the individuals who ran outside initially warned him to leave. However, the commotion among mall-goers and the people involved in the fight startled him.
“I saw a guy with the gun in between the doors and when he came outside, he was shooting, just shooting,” Tahir told WUSA9. “I was just in front of him, so I just started running. He was brutally straight-firing. People were crying. Kids were crying.”
Police previously arrested Daevon Russell and Johsuah Hernandez – both 18. They are faced with firearm and malicious wounding charges.
Skyler Agley, 23, was hurt at the mall but is also facing the same charges for his alleged involvement.
On Friday, police announced the arrest of Eric Ronaldo Benitez, 22, who is facing charges of malicious wounding, willful discharge of a firearm in a public place, and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Another man, Tayvion Omari Thornton, 18, was identified by police as being involved. He was arrested on Monday. Thornton is facing charges of malicious wounding, carrying a concealed weapon, willful discharge of a firearm in a public place, and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Anyone with information should call the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000.