Post Content

Two men arrested for shooting handgun from moving car in Arlandria

Two Alexandria men were arrested last month for shooting a gun from a vehicle in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood.

The incident occurred at around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 8. Two Alexandria Police officers in an unmarked SUV observed a white Mercedes-Benz disregard a red light at the intersection of Russell Road and Mount Vernon Avenue, according to a search warrant affidavit. Police then began to follow the car.

The white Mercedes-Benz then began to circle around the Arlandria neighborhood.

“As the vehicle approached the McDonald’s and Volkswagen dealership in the 100 block of W. Reed Avenue, the officers observed muzzle flashes coming from the driver’s side window,” police said in the search warrant.

Police conducted a high-risk stop and pulled the suspects over. They found the “firearm was located in the back seat of the vehicle and the shell casings were on the driver’s side floor,” police said in the affidavit.

The gun, a Polymer80, is a “ghost gun” with no serial numbers.

Police believe that the passenger, 22-year-old Jason Castillo, took the gun from a book bag, reached across the driver and fired out of his window. Castillo told police that he has been targeted by members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang, and that he thought that they were being followed by MS-13, not the police.

Both the suspects “stated the shots were to scare or warn them (MS-13) from continuing to follow them around the neighborhood,” police said in the affidavit.

Castillo is being held without bond for shooting from a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in public, shooting in a public place, speeding and disregarding a traffic signal. The driver, 20-year-old Erick Romero Molina, was released on $3,000 bond on September 9, and was charged with carrying a loaded firearm in public, shooting in a public place and malicious shooting at a vehicle. Both men go to court on November 15.

Via Google Maps

Recent Stories

A look at the smallest and largest homes sold in Alexandria last month, February 2024.

Alexandria City Council members and candidates are opening up about their positions on the city backing out of the Potomac Yard arena deal. Mayor Justin Wilson said that the city…

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy!  Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow. FRIDAY, MARCH 29 Things…

The Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Commonwealth Attorney’s Office were recently awarded large grants to curb a skyrocketing surge in gun-related crime incidents in the city. The Virginia Department of…

Well-Paid Maids, the only certified living-wage cleaning service in the DMV, has added a new service to its online booking menu: office and building cleanings.

This includes offices, building lobbies, shared amenity spaces and more throughout D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and more.

Unlike so many other cleaning services, you can feel good booking Well-Paid Maids to clean your office or building. Cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour. Plus, all employees are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance; 24 paid days off per year; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and more.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

ShawnMikael[s] and Friends

For their first show at the hallowed Galatic Panther in Old Town Alexandria, ShawnMikael[s] is inviting a bevy of brilliantly funny and field-tested stand-up and improv talent, including some veteran improv performers who were part of this year’s winning team

Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Annual Gala & Auction

Do good while having a good time at the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria’s 38th Annual Gala and Auction at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. The fun begins with a 2-hour open bar reception while mingling with 499 other Alexandrians who

×

Subscribe to our mailing list