Woodlawn Fatal Shooting Of Annandale Man Leads To Arrest: Police

WOODLAWN, VA — A suspect has been arrested and charged in the Woodlawn homicide this past Saturday, according to Fairfax County Police.

Kevin Alexander Lemus, 18, of Alexandria faces charges of second degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He was arrested Tuesday night in a residential area just north of Lockheed Boulevard in Hybla Valley.

The shooting happened Saturday outside a residence in the 8400 block of Graves Street in Woodlawn. The victim, Darlin Ariel Diaz Flores, 19, of Annandale, had just returned with a group from a social event in Maryland when he was shot during a confrontation, according to Maj. Ed O'Carroll, the Major Crimes Bureau commander. He had been waiting outside for a ride home when the shooting occurred.

"Our victim, Diaz Flores, was standing outside a friend's apartment doing nothing wrong," said O'Caroll at a news conference Wednesday. "Lemus, who we now know was the killer, passed by the victim, and the two exchanged very simple words. That led to some sort of confrontation that ended with Diaz Flores being shot in the upper body."

The suspect fled the scene, and nearby residents called 911. Police found Diaz Flores lying on the sidewalk and provided aid. The victim was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead.

Major Crimes Bureau detectives' effort to interview witnesses and neighbors, look for surveillance footage and collect evidence led to a break in the case and identification of Lemus as the suspect, O'Carroll said. Based on preliminary investigations, detectives do not believe Diaz Flores and Lemus knew each other. According to O'Carroll, Lemus has had over 80 contacts with law enforcement before his arrest.

After Lemus was arrested and taken to Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, he confessed to the shooting, according to O'Carroll. Lemus was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and held without bond.

The gun from the shooting has not yet been recovered. Police are looking for information on the gun and what Lemus was doing before and after the shooting.

Victims specialists have been assigned to the victim's family to provide assistance.

Anyone with information can contact the Major Crimes Bureau 703-246-7800, option 2, or submit a tip through Crime Solvers.