Crime & Safety
Sterling Shooting Suspect Arrested On Saturday: Police
Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old in connection with a Sterling shooting that killed a teenager on Friday night.
![Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old in connection with a Sterling shooting that killed a teenager on Saturday.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/24771377/20230905/095742/styles/patch_image/public/pxl-20210708-180522936___05094036755.jpg)
STERLING, VA — A Sterling shooting left an 18-year-old dead on Friday night. Now, another teen has been arrested in connection with the shooting, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities identified the victim as Alex Omar Cartagena Jr., a Sterling resident.
On Sunday, deputies arrested 18-year-old Jaylin E. O’Brien of Sterling. He is charged with second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, and two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
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If convicted, O'Brien could spend up to 58 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.
“The arrest followed exhaustive efforts by our detectives, deputies, crime scene personnel, and analysts who worked tirelessly to make an arrest in the murder of Alex Omar Cartagena Jr.," Sheriff Mike Chapman said in a news release. “It’s always tragic to see young lives taken in this way."
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The shooting happened shortly after 10:30 p.m. in the 21000 block of Stanford Square in Sterling, according to a Loudoun County Sheriff's Office news release. When deputies arrived, they found a young adult man suffering from a gunshot wound, authorities said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff's office said.
Anyone with information on the shooting should call Detective S. McCormack at 703-777-1021. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 703-777-1919 or using the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office app.
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