Police: Man Wanted for Firing Gun at Home Intruders

A Bristow man was assaulted at his home Tuesday morning—and now faces charges after he shot at the departing intruders, Prince William County Police said. 

Police said that Jose Vidal Pereira, 23, of Shallow Creek Loop in the Bristow area, is a convicted felon and was never supposed to have a firearm in the first place.

Another man at the residence—the homeowner—reported at 12:17 a.m. that three masked men had forced their way into the residence. Once they were inside, they went to a rear bedroom where they reportedly assaulted Pereira, who lived there. They did not take anything from the residence.

The men eventually left the home, but Pereira allegedly followed them and pulled out a gun, said police spokesman Officer Jonathan Perok. He allegedly fired towards the intruders and in the process struck three unoccupied, parked vehicles, Perok said. 

Pereira was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Following an investigation, officers obtained warrants for his arrest, charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and willful discharge of a firearm in a public place. 

Pereira is described as 5'6" tall, white, 145 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. 

Police said that Pereira did not provide a description of the assailants. They said they do not believe the incident was random. The investigation continues. 

The information in this article was provided by the Prince William County Police Department. Where charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.