Executive Summary
- Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortiz, 23, was arrested following a fatal shooting in Reston, Virginia.
- The suspect allegedly fled the scene on a bicycle, triggering a manhunt involving air and K-9 support.
- Five nearby schools were placed on “secure the building” status during the police operation.
- Police believe the suspect and the victim lived in the same residence.
A sweeping manhunt in Fairfax County, Virginia, concluded Wednesday afternoon with the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect accused of fatally shooting a man inside a Reston residence. Fairfax County Police Department officials confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody without incident following a search that utilized drones, a helicopter, and K-9 units.
Police Chief Kevin Davis identified the suspect as Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortiz. According to police reports, the shooting took place inside a home in the 12300 block of Fan Shell Court, located near the intersection of the Dulles Access Road and Fairfax County Parkway. Chief Davis stated that after the shooting, Morales-Ortiz allegedly fled the immediate area on a bicycle, prompting a large-scale police response.
During a press briefing, Chief Davis noted that investigators recovered a firearm at the scene of the arrest. While the motive remains under investigation, police disclosed that the suspect and the victim likely resided in the same home. “So logically, to assume that they know each other and are familiar with each other is a safe bet to make,” Davis said. The identity of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
The search for the suspect, who was considered armed and dangerous, impacted the local community significantly. According to a statement provided to WTOP, five Fairfax County Public Schools in the vicinity were placed on “secure the building” status. This protocol required students and staff to remain inside while dismissal times were delayed until law enforcement deemed the area safe.
Investigative Outlook
The swift apprehension of the suspect marks a transition from an active public safety threat to a focused homicide investigation. With the recovery of the weapon and the suspect in custody, the immediate danger to the Reston community has subsided, allowing investigators to prioritize forensic analysis of the Fan Shell Court residence. Law enforcement’s focus will now likely shift to determining the precise motive behind the altercation, particularly given the domestic co-habitation factors cited by Chief Davis. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
