WASHINGTON — A Manassas man wanted in connection with several shooting incidents — including firing into a home — earlier this year was arrested Thursday.
David Luis Mendoza, 18, faces various gun and malicious wounding charges stemming from the shootings, which took place when he was still 17 and a juvenile, Manassas City police said.
A months-old “Wanted” poster for Mendoza, now updated with the word “apprehended” stamped across his face in bold red letters, states that police believe Mendoza was involved in several shootings in the Georgetown South community in Manassas City.
A shooting in that same neighborhood on Wednesday wounded three people. Police wouldn’t say whether Mendoza is a suspect in that incident, which occurred within a mile of Mendoza’s home. In that shooting on Maury Lane, a man, woman and 17-year-old boy were hit by gunfire from a passing car and hospitalized with injuries they’re expected to survive.
Law enforcement officers with a regional gang task force, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Secret Service were all involved in finding and arresting Mendoza. He was taken into custody at a residence in the city without incident.
“This was a huge arrest for us and a big success for the regional task forces and all the agencies involved,” Manassas City police spokeswoman Adrienne Helms said.
Mendoza is charged with:
- Aggravated malicious wounding
- Attempted aggravated malicious wounding
- Shooting into an occupied dwelling — four counts
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Discharging a firearm in a public place
- Reckless handling of a firearm
- Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
Police still are investigating Wednesday’s Maury Lane shooting. The Manassas City/Manassas Park Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. The confidential, 24-hour tip line is 703-330-0330.
