Man Wanted In Fatal Hybla Valley Shooting

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — Fairfax County Police have identified a suspect and obtained arrest warrants after a fatal shooting Saturday in Hybla Valley.

Around 8:47 p.m., police responded to an apartment in the 7400 block of Vernon Square Drive after a neighbor reported hearing an argument and gunshot. Officers arrived and found the victim with an apparent upper body gunshot wound. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel pronounced him dead on the scene. The victim was identified as Raphael Pierce, 23, of Alexandria.

According to a preliminary investigation, the victim was attending a small gathering at the apartment and got into an argument with the suspect. The suspect was identified as Terence Butler, 40, of Alexandria. Detectives believe Pierce and Butler knew each other, but the full details remain under investigation.

Detectives believe Butler shot Pierce and fled in a dark colored 2013 Chevrolet Impala with Virginia registration URH-1176, black rims and damage to the passenger side.

Early Sunday, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Butler to charge him with second degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police say Butler should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 703-691-2131 or call 911.

This was Fairfax County's 15 homicide in 2021, compared to six homicides year to date in 2020. Ten arrests have been made in this year's homicides.