ICE Detainer Filed As Fairfax Police Release New Photos In Officer Shooting Case

ANNANDALE, VA — Fairfax County police on Thursday released new photos from Tuesday's officer-involved shooting in Annandale as federal immigration officials announced they have lodged an immigration detainer against the man accused of attempting to take an officer's gun during the encounter.

The newly released evidence includes a booking photo of 26-year-old Nehemia Noel Fuentes-Banegas, photographs of two knives police said were recovered during the incident, and a still image from an officer's body-worn camera that police said shows the moment Fuentes-Banegas grabbed for the officer's firearm.

On Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had lodged an immigration detainer asking Fairfax County not to release Fuentes-Banegas if he becomes eligible for release from custody. DHS identified him as a Honduran national and said he entered the United States unlawfully through Texas in 2022 before later being released pending immigration proceedings. Those immigration-related claims were made by DHS.

Police Release New Evidence

According to Fairfax County police, officers responded shortly before 10:15 a.m. Monday to the 4200 block of Sutter Lane after receiving a report of a domestic dispute.

Investigators said Fuentes-Banegas had armed himself with two knives, stabbed himself during the incident and left the home before officers arrived.

Officers searched the nearby wooded area off Americana Drive, where police said Fuentes-Banegas suddenly emerged from the brush and attempted to grab an officer's handgun. During the struggle, the officer fired one round while a second officer deployed a Taser. Fuentes-Banegas was struck by the gunfire and taken to a hospital with injuries police described as non-life-threatening.

After receiving medical treatment, he was charged with attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer, a felony under Virginia law. Court records show he is being held without bond pending further proceedings.

Police said the officer involved has been placed on restricted duty while the criminal investigation, an internal administrative review and an independent review by the Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel continue. The department has said body-worn camera footage will be released within 30 days under its critical incident policy.

ICE Announces Detainer

In a statement issued Thursday, DHS said ICE has lodged an immigration detainer with Fairfax County authorities requesting notification before Fuentes-Banegas is released from local custody. The agency also criticized Virginia's immigration policies and Gov. Abigail Spanberger's administration, arguing they limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

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Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in the statement that ICE was asking Virginia officials not to release Fuentes-Banegas and criticized the state's approach to immigration enforcement.

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Patch has previously reported on ongoing disputes between the Trump administration, Fairfax County officials and the Spanberger administration over local cooperation with ICE, including congressional hearings examining Fairfax County's trust policies and the U.S. Department of Justice's recently announced civil rights investigation involving the Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

“Fairfax County police officers do tremendous work to keep our community safe and I’m glad that no officers were harmed and that there was no loss of life," Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay said, in an email. "FCPD will continue to enforce criminal law and hold everyone accountable for their actions and are just one part of a broader criminal justice system. As has always been the case all valid judicial court orders will be honored."

Patch has reached out to Gov. Abigail Spanberger's office and Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano for comment on the DHS statement and the ICE detainer. This story will be updated if responses are received.

Anyone with information about Monday's incident is asked to contact the Fairfax County Police Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800.