Coworker Killing Over Lunch Gets Alexandria Man 70-Year Prison Sentence

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Before Bazen Berhe of Alexandria was sentenced for a co-worker's murder, prosecutors say he threatened to kill or harm others if he didn't get the harshest sentence.

Berhe, 25, of Alexandria, was sentenced Tuesday to 100 years in prison. The judge suspended 30 years, which means he will serve 70 years in prison. The case is related to the 2021 homicide of Hernan Leiva, 58, a co-worker of the Bailey's Crossroads Target.

The killing happened in the parking lot of the Target where they worked. According to Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano, Berhe was upset with Leiva for taking his lunch from the workplace's fridge on April 14, 2021.

"Mr. Leiva's unnecessary and tragic death leaves behind a grieving family and community, one that will never be the same after such a senseless act of violence," said Descano in a statement. "In this case, because of the unique and self-proclaimed danger the defendant continues to pose to the community, today's sentence was a necessary outcome for maintaining public safety."

After that incident, Berhe begin to plot the murder and purchased a hammer and two knives while leaving his shift at Target. He later told detectives he spent the next day training for the killing.

On April 17, 2021, Berhe arrived in the employee parking lot in the early morning and waited for Leiva. Prosecutors say Berhe stabbed and bludgeoned Levia to death and fled the scene.

Leiva had a partner, two sons and other relatives when he died. According to his obituary, Leiva was born in El Salvador and was "an extraordinarily hard worker and prominent figure to his family."

Berhe confessed to the murder and plead guilty in October 2023.