Manassas Mall Shooting Arrests Total 4, 1 More Suspect Wanted

MANASSAS, VA — Two more suspects have been identified in the Manassas Mall shooting that injured at least two people Tuesday, according to Prince William County Police.

Eric Ronaldo Benitez, 22, of Manassas, was arrested Wednesday and was charged with two counts of malicious wounding, one count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Another suspect, Tayvion Omari Thornton, 18, of Woodbridge, remains at large. He is wanted on two counts of principal in the 2nd degree malicious wounding, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, one count of principal in the second degree willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Police believe they have identified the main suspects in the shooting. Additional people are sought as potential witnesses.

Three other men were previously arrested and charged. Daevon Russell, 18, of Manassas, and Joshuah Minas Hernandez, 18, of Manassas, were each charged with two counts of malicious wounding, one count of shooting at an occupied building, one count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, one count of carrying a firearm in a public place, and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Skyler James Agley, 23, of Manassas, was charged with one count of malicious wounding, one count of shooting at an occupied building, one count of willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He remains hospitalized in police custody.

Police had responded around 2:08 p.m. Tuesday to the Manassas Mall in the 8300 block of Sudley Road. While police received calls about an active shooting, police determined the shooting happened in a parking lot outside the mall, and the two involved groups dispersed. But when an uninvolved witness went into the mall to warn others, panic ensued for a short time.

However, police say no shots were fired inside the mall. Police investigation determined two groups met inside the mall at the food court and had a physical altercation. Both groups displayed guns and took the altercation to the parking lot. Outside the mall, the groups exchanged gunfire before dispersing.

Police had located one of the injured victims, a 51-year-old man who was believed to be an uninvolved bystander, at the scene. The other injured person was one of the suspects, Skyler James Agley, 23, of Manassas. Police were notified when Agley was brought to the hospital. Both men are expected to survive.

A traffic stop not long after the shooting led to two more suspects being detained and later charged — Daevon Russell, 18, of Manassas, and Joshuah Minas Hernandez, 18, of Manassas.

Anyone with information about the shooting can contact the Prince William County Police Department tip line at 703-792-7000 or submit a tip to: pwcva.gov/policetip.