VA Teen Charged In Murders Of Two Northwest High School Grads

GERMANTOWN, MD — An Alexandria, Virginia, teenager has been arrested in connection with the murders of two Northwest High School graduates.

Mohamed Aly, 18, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, court officials confirmed to Patch.

T.C. Williams High School Principal Peter Balas sent a letter to students and their families confirming the arrest, saying that the school is complying with Virginia State Police as they investigate.

"We should expect that there will be a variety of reactions to what has occurred, and the most important thing we can do is to be supportive and encourage an open expression of emotions," Balas wrote. "Counselors will be available for students and staff members at the school over the next few days."

On Feb. 8, Virginia State Police responded to what they initially thought was a single-vehicle crash on Route 58 (Philpott Road) in Halifax County's Turbeville community. When authorities arrived, they found a silver 2009 Nissan Maxima in the median and two bodies lying near the car.

Authorities have identified the victims as Ayanna Munne Maertens Griffin, 19, of Germantown, Maryland, and Ntombo Joel Bianda, 21, of Alexandria, Virginia. They described the victims as "close acquaintances."

State police said the car was registered to Bianda, but concluded that their deaths were not a result of the crash.

The place where their bodies were found, authorities said, is "fairly isolated" and "not heavily traveled" overnight.

Their remains were taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Roanoke, Virginia. Their deaths were ruled as homicides.

Bianda and Maertens Griffin both graduated from Northwest High School in Germantown, the principal confirmed on Twitter. GoFundMe pages have been set up for the slain victims.