15-Year-Old's Charges Tied To Teen's Fatal Shooting In Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A teen was charged in connection to the death of another teen who broke into a Woodbridge apartment with him last Tuesday.

Around 2:44 a.m. on June 18, police responded to the Misty Ridge Apartments in the 15000 block of Lost Canyon Ct in Woodbridge and found a 17-year-old boy in an outdoor stairwell with gunshot wounds. The 17-year-old from Spartanburg, South Carolina was taken to the hospital and later died of his injuries.

Police did not initially find a suspect after a search with a K-9 unit and police helicopter.

After investigation, police determined an 18-year-old man who lived at the apartment building shot the 17-year-old. Police believe the dead 17-year-old and a 15-year-old broke into the apartment with intent to steal marijuana and money from the 18-year-old man.

When the two teens broke a window to force entry into the apartment where the man was sleeping, police say the man fired his handgun, fatally striking the 17-year-old. The other teen fled the area and fired shots back at the apartment complex.

Virginia State Police helped take the 15-year-old suspect into custody in the Fredericksburg area and recover two guns.

The 15-year-old was charged with felony murder, burglary with intent to commit a felony, and shooting into an occupied dwelling in connection to the death of his associate during the break-in. He is being held at the Prince William County Juvenile Detention Center.

Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Prince William County police at 703-792-6500 or submit a tip to pwcva.gov/policetip.