murder | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published May 2, 2022 at 7:30AM

The crowds returned for the first Taste of Vienna since the COVID-19 pandemic started (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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Former Falls Church Bicycle Shop Owner’s Mythology Unravels — “We’re not just talking about one man’s fabrications, but the ripples from those fabrications: a team of riders that allege abuse at [Nick] Clark’s hands, a series of embellished life events stretching back to the 1990s, ties with the political and military elite, alleged misrepresentations across multiple industries, and possible stolen military valour.” [Cycling Tips]

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Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 26, 2022 at 7:30AM

At the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial in Lorton's Occoquan Regional Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

SCOTUS Lets TJ Admissions Policy Stay During Appeal — With three justices dissenting, the Supreme Court denied the Coalition for TJ’s request to block the new admissions policy for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The denial will let Fairfax County Public Schools use the policy to evaluate the incoming Class of 2026, as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond considers the case. FCPS says the appeals court has approved its request for “an expedited schedule to resolve the legal issues involved in the admissions process.” [SCOTUSblog/Twitter, FCPS]

No Injuries in Turnpike Shopping Center Crash — The driver of a sedan that crashed into an empty storefront next to Kokee Tea in the Fairfax City shopping center on Saturday (April 23) survived unharmed, city officials said yesterday (Monday). Damages to the building at 9668 Main Street are estimated to be between $20,000 and $30,000. [City of Fairfax Fire Department, Patch]

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FCPD: Man and teenager face murder charges in West Falls Church shooting

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 11, 2022 at 3:00PM

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis announces arrests in the fatal shooting of Falls Church resident Nelson Alexander Sr. (via FCPD/Facebook)

A 19-year-old Falls Church resident and an unidentified 17-year-old have been charged with murder after a shooting in West Falls Church last fall led to the death of 73-year-old Nelson Alexander Sr., Fairfax County police announced today (Monday).

Timothy Kashawn Bradshaw Robinson served as the “getaway driver” in a “botched robbery” at a Wells Fargo walk-up ATM in the 2900 block of Annandale Road, according to Fairfax County Police Department officials.

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Police believe Kingstowne murder suspect had help fleeing, court documents show

By David Taube

Published April 1, 2022 at 2:15PM

Police and sister of Hannah Choi talk at news conference (via Fairfax County Police Department)

Fairfax County police are still searching for the man they say killed 35-year-old Kingstowne resident Hannah Choi, whose body was found in Maryland by a passerby weeks after she went missing in early March.

Maj. Ed O’ Carroll, chief of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes, Cyber and Forensics Bureau, called murder suspect Joel Mosso Merino, 27, of Kingstowne, the county’s “most wanted” person in a news conference on Monday (March 28).

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Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 29, 2022 at 7:30AM

Cherry blossoms on cloudy day in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Life Sentences Recommended in McLean Murder Case — “A Fairfax County jury delivered a guilty verdict Monday against a woman accused of killing her own mother and sister in 2017. Megan Hargan, 35, was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder, and two counts of using a firearm in committing a felony.” [WUSA9]

Great Falls Fire Caused by Garage Door Opener — A house fire in the 9900 block of Deer Pond Drive on March 22 was caused by “an electrical event involving wiring to a garage door opener,” Fairfax County Fire and Rescue investigators say. The fire didn’t result in any injuries or displacements, but it caused approximately $87,500 in property damages. [FCFRD]

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Police: Body identified as missing Kingstowne woman, $40K reward offered

By David Taube

Published March 28, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated April 1, 2022 at 11:40AM

Police talk at press conference about update in Hannah Choi death (via Fairfax County Police Department's Facebook page)

The body found in a Maryland park on Thursday (March 24) was that of 35-year-old Hannah Choi, Fairfax County police confirmed today (Monday).

Police are still looking for Joel Mosso Merino, 27, of Alexandria, who was her ex-boyfriend and has been identified as the primary suspect in the murder investigation.

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JUST IN: Remains found in Maryland may be missing Kingstowne woman, FCPD says

By Brandi Bottalico

Published March 25, 2022 at 3:55PM | Updated March 25, 2022 at 4:37PM

Fairfax County Police are searching for Joel Merino who has been charged with murder in connection to his ex-girlfriend Hannah Choi's disappearance. Police have been searching a park in Prince George's County for Choi's remains (courtesy of FCPD)

Police may have found the body of Hannah Choi, a missing Kingstowne woman who Fairfax County police believe was murdered.

Charles County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland notified the Fairfax County Police Department yesterday (Thursday) morning that a body was found in Piscataway Park, where the department previously had searched more than 800 acres looking for Choi’s remains.

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Drug trafficker to serve 20 years for role in 2011 Reston murder

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 17, 2022 at 9:00AM

Fairfax County police car lights (file photo)

A former Reston resident was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday) to 20 years years in prison for his role in a drug-related murder that happened in Reston in 2011.

Saul Pacheco Mejia, 55, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the use of a firearm in a drug trafficking conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

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UPDATED: Police search for man charged with Kingstowne woman’s murder

By Brandi Bottalico

Published March 15, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated March 16, 2022 at 8:49AM

Fairfax County Police are searching for Joel Merino who has been charged with murder in connection to his ex-girlfriend Hannah Choi's disappearance. Police have been searching a park in Prince George's County for Choi's remains (courtesy of FCPD)

(updated at 6 p.m.) Fairfax County police are searching for a Kingstowne man charged with murder after his former girlfriend went missing.

Hannah Choi, 35, was last seen in the 5300 block of Jesmond Street in Kingstowne, where she and her ex-boyfriend Joel Merino lived together, police said.

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Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 10, 2022 at 7:30AM

A rainy mid-day in Fairfax (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Invasive Spiders Could Reach D.C. Area — “An invasive species of spider the size of a child’s hand is expected to “colonize” the entire East Coast this spring by parachuting down from the sky, researchers at the University of Georgia announced last week.” [Axios]

Ramp Closure Coming to I-66 Near Vienna — “Travel lanes on Nutley Street will shift and the ramp from Nutley Street South to I-66 West will be closed as part of work planned for this weekend, March 11-14, for the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. Drivers heading from Nutley Street South to I-66 West will proceed..past the current ramp to turn right at a traffic signal onto a temporary ramp to access the interstate. This detour will remain in place for approximately three weeks.” [VDOT]