Amy Ashworth, Commonwealth Attorney for Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, has released the following statement, addressing the prior arrests and convictions of Tasheem Rashad Douglas, the man accused of shooting a 16-year-old bystander at the First Friday event in Old Town Manassas on Sept. 4.
Sept. 8, 2026 - Manassas - Our community is grieving the tragic death of a 16-year-old who was killed during the First Friday event in Manassas, on Sept. 4, 2026. We recognize the profound impact this violence has had on the victim’s family, those who witnessed the shooting, and the broader community. We also understand the serious questions being raised about the circumstances surrounding this case, including why the individual now charged was not in custody at the time of the shooting.
Tasheem Rashad Douglas has been charged in connection with the September 4th incident. As with every person accused of a crime, Mr. Douglas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This remains an active investigation. Our office is working closely with law enforcement to collect, review, and evaluate the evidence. We will follow that evidence wherever it leads and will pursue appropriate charges against any person who can be proven responsible, consistent with the law and our constitutional obligations. Because this matter is pending, we are limited in what we can say about the facts and evidence surrounding the shooting itself.
We can, however, address the significant public concern regarding Mr. Douglas’s prior and pending cases and his release on bond.
Under Virginia law, Commonwealth’s Attorneys do not set bond. Bond decisions are made by magistrates and judges. Prosecutors appear on behalf of the Commonwealth and may advocate for detention, release or specific conditions of bond based upon the circumstances of an individual case. The ultimate decision regarding whether a defendant is released and under what conditions rests with the judicial officer hearing the matter.
Based upon the adult court records currently available to our office, Mr. Douglas’s prior and pending cases include the following:
Sept. 4, 2023 – Trespassing Mr. Douglas was charged with trespassing, a Class 1 misdemeanor. The charge was nolle prosequied on January 8, 2024, after the complaining witness did not appear in court.
April 23, 2024 – Assault and Battery and Brandishing a Firearm Mr. Douglas was charged with assault and battery and brandishing a firearm, both Class 1 misdemeanors. The charges were nolle prosequied on July 17, 2024, after the necessary witnesses failed to appear in court for a second time.
April 30, 2024 – Firearm-Related Charges When Mr. Douglas was arrested on the April 23 assault and brandishing charges, he was found in possession of a stolen firearm concealed on his person. He was charged with larceny of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a firearm by a prisoner. On April 4, 2025, Mr. Douglas pleaded guilty to the firearm-possession charge and was sentenced to five years of incarceration, with four years and ten months suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation. He was released from incarceration on May 21, 2025.
June 17, 2024 – Assault and Battery Mr. Douglas was charged with assault and battery, a Class 1 misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty on August 14, 2024, and was convicted. The court imposed a suspended fine.
Aug. 1, 2024 – Shoplifting Mr. Douglas was charged with shoplifting, a Class 1 misdemeanor. He was convicted on November 18, 2024, and sentenced to 30 days in jail, all suspended, and ordered to pay $23.99 in restitution.
Aug. 11, 2025 – Petit Larceny Mr. Douglas was charged with petit larceny. The complaining witness subsequently indicated that they did not wish to proceed after Mr. Douglas returned and paid for the item.
Feb.15, 2026 – Firearm and Related Charges Mr. Douglas was charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors, to wit: possession of a firearm by a non-violent convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon on school property, and possession of illegal equipment.
A magistrate initially set a $5,000 secured bond. After Mr. Douglas had been held for two days, defense counsel filed a bond motion, and the judge amended the bond to a $5,000 unsecured bond. The court form contains the notation “CW agreed,” without further explanation. Our file reflects that the prosecutor objected to bond at the initial arraignment but contains no notation indicating what changed before the subsequent hearing. As in every bond proceeding, the Commonwealth’s position would have been based on the facts and information available at that time.
April 14, 2026 – Alleged Probation Violation A capias was issued alleging that Mr. Douglas violated the terms of his probation. On April 16, 2026, he was released on a $1,000 secured bond that had been set by the Judge. Conditions of his release included a requirement that he remain in his residence between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and that he not possess weapons. The probation violation matter remains pending and is currently scheduled for January 28, 2027.
May 27, 2026 – Shoplifting Mr. Douglas was charged with shoplifting and released by the arresting officer on a summons. That case is currently scheduled for trial on October 9, 2026.
We understand why members of the public are asking difficult questions in the wake of the September 4th shooting. Those questions are legitimate, particularly when a young life has been lost.
At the same time, our responsibility as prosecutors is to speak accurately about what the law allows, what occurred in prior court proceedings, and what remains unresolved. We cannot change past judicial decisions, and we will not compromise a pending prosecution by commenting publicly on evidence that must ultimately be presented in court.
What we can assure this community is that the September 4th shooting is being treated with the seriousness it demands. Our office will continue working with law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation, protect the integrity of the prosecution, respect the constitutional rights of the accused, and seek accountability supported by the facts and the law.
Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the family and loved ones of the 16-year-old whose life was lost, and with a community struggling to understand and heal from this violence.
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