UPDATE IN PROGRESS, Saturday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m.: Manassas City Police Chief Doug Keen announced that the 16-year-old female victim of the shooting that occurred last night at First Friday in Old Town Manassas was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire between two shooters.
The teenager, who was located at the train depot, died* as a result of gunshot wounds she sustained.
Keen updated the media at a 4:30 press conference, Saturday, held outside the VRE station depot in Old Town Manassas, the site of the shooting.
During the conference, Keen announced that the 21-year-old male, who was found injured on Prince William Street, is the main suspect in the shooting. He identified the suspect as Tasheem Douglas of Prince William County.
Suspect 21-year-old Tasheem Douglas of Prince William County
Courtesy of Prince William County Police
Keen said there was a "gun battle" that took place between Fosters Grill across the railroad tracks and the depot. According to video evidence, it appears Douglas fired first from across the train tracks towards the train depot, accidentally striking the victim. "Mr. Douglas collapsed with a gunshot wound that he received from the second shooter," Keen said.
The other shooter is still at large.
Police have Douglas in custody under arrest at Fairfax Hospital where he is stabilized and recuperating. He has been charged with 2nd degree murder, possession of a firearm in service of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Chief explained it is obviously problematic that the suspect was a convicted felon. “Any time you have a convicted felon with a firearm - absolutely it is a threat to our community and something we are going to work on and find out how he is back in our community committing crime once again.”
Keen said he spoke personally with the parents of the deceased young woman. "[It's one of the] most difficult things you have to do [as a police officer], but it is one of the things I felt important as chief of police that I meet with them one-on-one." He said all he could do was "to offer empathy and care and let them know we are here to support them."
Keen thanked his team for working "around-the-clock" and through the night. "They were running towards the gunfire, not away, and they were there to protect our community. And they also provided first aid to our victims.”
He also thanked the multitude of citizens and attendees who sent in photos and videos, saying the information helped detectives quickly piece together what occurred. He said they are also close to apprehending the second shooter.
Keen said they are close to finding a motive for the shootout.
*We mistakenly said the victim died at the scene. The Manassas City Police reported she had died as a result of her injuries after being transported to an area hospital.
Saturday, Sept. 5, after midnight: The Manassas Police Department responded to an active shooter situation in Old Town Manassas Friday, Sept. 4, at approximately 9:30 p.m. The incident occurred during the city's September First Friday celebration, in which 10,000 people were present, according to Manassas Police Chief Doug Keen.
Shortly after arriving, officers located two victims, one unresponsive on the train platform at 9451 West St. Police found a second victim lying in the street near the parking garage on Prince William Street.
No suspect was located nor taken into custody.
During the initial stages of the active investigation, police asked the public to avoid the Old Town Manassas area. Those already in the historic district were told to follow directions given by emergency personnel. A meet-up location for friends and family was established.
After midnight on Sept. 5, the Manssas City Police released more information, reporting that a 16-year-old girl died as a result of her injuries. The other victim, a 21-year-old male, was seriously injured and taken to a hospital in Fairfax. Keen said his injuries are non-life-threatening.
Police have not yet released the identities of the victims.
