Double Homicide At Falls Church Apartments Prompts 2 Arrests

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The deaths of two people in a shooting and stabbing that injured two others Monday in Falls Church could be tied to a drug-related robbery, Fairfax County police say. A juvenile suspect has been arrested and charged.

The incident happened around 3:37 p.m. at an apartment building in the 2200 block of Pimmit Run Lane in Falls Church. Fairfax County Deputy Chief Eli Cory said at a media briefing that officers found one man shot to death in a laundry room of one building. He was later identified as Jonas Skinner, 20, of Ashburn.

Officers found three others with stab wounds in the parking lot. One of the victims, Braden Deahl, 18, of Arlington County, was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

Two others went to the hospital with suspected non-life-threatening injuries. The two injured stabbing victims were juveniles, and Cory declined to identify them in any way.

A 17-year-old suspect was charged with robbery resulting in death. Police also charged Vladimir Garcia Montes, 18, of Falls Church, with robbery resulting in death.

The incident happened during a gathering at the apartment complex, Cory said. Police found marijuana that they believe may be tied to the homicide. The incident is not believed to be random.

"All the people involved met up for a specific reason," Cory said, adding police are interviewing witnesses and anyone who was in the area to try to figure out the reason for the gathering, as well as how many people were participants. "We don't believe there's a threat to public safety."

A backpack full of narcotics was found at the scene, as was a knife, Cory said. "We're still looking for other weapons," he said.

Authorities were still trying to sort out how many people were part of the gathering and what relationships existed among the victims. "We're interviewing people to figure that out," Cory said.

Police continue to investigate and expect additional updates in this case. Anyone with information can call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2.