FAIRFAX, Va. — Fairfax County police have made several arrests after a gun store burglary, caught on camera, was followed by a violent crime spree, allegedly carried out by a group of teenagers and young men.
Investigators released new surveillance footage Friday showing multiple people breaking into Dominion Defense, a gun store in Springfield, on Sept. 20.
Police said the video shows four teenage suspects using a stolen Kia, breaking into the store and stealing 14 firearms, including rifles and pistols. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis described the crime as "brazen."
"These crimes not only involved guns, but savage behavior," FCPD Major Elizabeth Melendez said.
Davis said the same suspects used the stolen guns to carry out a string of violent crimes between Sept. 7-22 across Fairfax County. The crimes included shooting a 19-year-old man, robbing three people at gunpoint—one victim was threatened with an AR-style rifle—and kidnapping a student. Authorities also say the suspects targeted specific homes, firing bullets into the houses.
Bullet holes can still be seen at one crime scene on Matisse Way in Springfield. A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous for their safety, recalled the chaos.
“It was probably over 20 shots,” the neighbor said. “One of the bullets went through a window [where] grandma was lying in bed."
The family in that home moved out, but the neighboring house was also hit, further raising fears in the tight-knit community.
Fairfax County Police have now arrested and charged five juveniles and two adults in connection with the crime spree. All of the teens and men remain in jail.
Despite the arrests, investigators have only recovered eight of the 14 firearms stolen from the gun store. Authorities suspect the group may be linked to additional crimes, though they have not yet confirmed how many others.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says the trend of teens breaking into gun stores is on the rise.
"It's not isolated to just Fairfax County,” said Anthony Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Washington Field Division. “It’s happening across the country, and we’ve seen a little increase in it, but a lot that is based on the timing of the year."
While the crime spree has raised alarms in the community, police say the incidents do not appear to be gang related. Chief Davis vowed that his department will continue to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.
“We’re absolutely going to catch you," he said. "That’s a given. It’s inevitable.”
The details of the crimes involved:
- On September 7, at 7:22 p.m., Shopping Center Units responded to a robbery in the 6500 block of Springfield Mall in Springfield. The victims reported that a suspect brandished a firearm and took their phones. Officers located the juvenile suspects involved nearby and took them into custody.
- On September 18, while detectives were investigating the burglary at Dominion Defense, they discovered that the Kia Soul used in the burglary was stolen from the 7600 block of Oakridge Woods Court in Springfield prior to the incident.
- On September 18 at approximately 10:25 p.m., officers responded to the 9500 block of Hagel Circle in Lorton for a shot person call. Officers located a 19-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower body. He was transported to a local hospital with injuries considered non-life threatening. Multiple 9mm shell casings were located and collected for evidence.
- On September 19 at approximately 12:02 a.m., officers responded to the 7700 block of Matisse Way in Springfield for a shooting into an occupied dwelling call. Officers determined that two homes were struck. No one was harmed. Multiple 9mm shell casings were located and collected for evidence.
- On September 20 at 4:00 p.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of Beacontree Lane in Reston for an abduction report. Officers were contacted by school administration about an incident that occurred off school property. A student reported that they witnessed another student being assaulted with firearms on a video. Officers found the victim with non-life-threatening injuries near his home. The victim reported they were assaulted and robbed by multiple suspects. The weapons seen on the video were able to be tracked back to Dominion Defense.
- On September 21 at 1:52 a.m., officers responded to the 7800 block of Lambkin Court in Lorton for a Shooting into an Occupied dwelling call. The victims reported that someone shot into their home while they were inside. Both victims were unharmed. Multiple 9mm shell casing were located and collected for evidence.
- On September 22, at 11:32 a.m., officers responded to the 7700 block of Richmond Highway in Hybla Valley for a Robbery. The victim reported that he was robbed after meeting up with a suspect to purchase clothing. The victim reported that an AR style weapon was brandished and he was robbed. Officers located the involved vehicle a short distance away and took two suspects into custody. The rifle recovered was linked to the Dominion Defense burglary.