Crime & Safety

Update: Fairfax Police Charge Gainesville Man in Death of Manassas Teen

The teen was found Friday in a car crashed near Chain Bridge Road.

 A 22-year-old Gainesville man is in custody in connection with the Friday death of a Manassas teen near Vienna, according to a release issued by Fairfax County Police on Saturday evening.

Johnny E. Bonilla of Catharpin Valley Drive was arrested at 4 p.m. Saturday at his home by U.S. Marshals assisted by police from Prince William and Fairfax Counties.

Bonilla is charged with murder in connection with the death of 19-year-old Zavier O. Stringfellow of Gales Court in the Manassas area, police said. 

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Investigators said the victim and the suspect didn't know each prior to Friday but had agreed to meet up that evening.

When they did meet, there was a struggle and the victim was stabbed, according to police reports.

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A Fairfax Police officer responding for a rescue found Stringfellow's body inside a wrecked vehicle that had crashed into a barrier on a service road near Chain Bridge Road and Glengyle Drive, not far from Vienna, police said.

The officer later found evidence suggesting that Stringfellow hadn't succumb to injuries suffered in the crash.

The medical examiner’s office later ruled the death a homicide caused by severe head trauma, according to a information released earlier by Fairfax Police.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131. Callers need not reveal their identity.


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