Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth announces the successful prosecution of Ryan Thomas Walker, arising from the December 26, 2019, robbery and murder at the Denny’s restaurant in Manassas, Virginia. Walker allegedly struck the deceased victim, Yusuf Ozgur, before Jordan Anderson shot him. Ozgur died as a result of his injuries that night.
Jan. 3, 2024, Mr. Walker entered guilty pleas pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford (400 U.S. 25, 1970) to one count of Felony Murder (2nd degree), one count of Aggravated Malicious Wounding, one count of Statutory Burglary while Armed, one count of Attempted Robbery and two probation violations.
The Honorable Carroll A. Weimer, Jr. sentenced Walker to a total of 50 years and two life sentences in the state penitentiary. However, he suspended 35 years and all but 2 years of the life sentences for a total active term of incarceration of 17 years and placed Mr. Walker on probation for five years following his release from prison. The sentence is conditioned upon Mr. Walker’s uniform good behavior for life.
“While this plea spares the victims and their families from the trauma of another prolonged trial and the reliving of the events of December 26, 2019, it does not diminish the gravity of the offenses committed that night," said Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth. "Our commitment to justice remains unwavering as we move forward to ensure accountability for the senseless violence and loss inflicted upon the community by these two individuals.”
Commonwealth of Virginia v. Ryan Walker
Dec. 26, 2019, at approximately 2:30 a.m., Ryan Walker and Jordan Anderson entered the Denny’s on Sudley Road with the intent to rob its occupants. The evidence showed that during the incident, Mr. Walker and his companion held the employees and patrons of the Denny’s against their will while unsuccessfully attempting to get money from the cash register.
Upon exiting the restaurant, Mr. Anderson shot one patron of the Denny’s and Mr. Walker struck Yusuf Ozgur, a food delivery driver, arriving to pick up an order, in the head with an ASP baton. Anderson then shot Mr. Ozgur.
Despite the emergency medical intervention Mr. Ozgur received, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away. Anderson has previously been convicted and sentenced for his role in the murder and robbery. According to the Virginia Department of Corrections website, Anderson is not scheduled to be released until May 2107.
The case was prosecuted by Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Kristina Robinson, and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Christian Malott. The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney would like to recognize Sara Vutiprichar, Deputy Director of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program, for the vital assistance she provided the victims and their families.
We also want to recognize the hard work of the Prince William County Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms during the investigation. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office would like to specifically recognize Detective Eric Davis and Gretchen Gebhardt with the Prince William County Police Department and Luis DeJesus with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their invaluable investigative assistance.
About Amy Ashworth
Amy Ashworth is the elected Commonwealth's Attorney for Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. She was elected in November 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 for another four-year term. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office can be reached from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. every business day by phone at 703-792-6050 or email at cwoffice@pwcgov.org.
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