Alexandria Man Arrested In Sterling Double Homicide

STERLING, VA—An Alexandria man has been arrested and charged for a double homicide at a Sterling hookah lounge early Monday.

Two people were shot to death early Monday at the Pharaoh Cafe in the 46000 block of Old Ox Road, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Hassan M. Gailani, 34, of Alexandria, was charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony after being caught trying to leave the scene.

Police responded to the scene around 1:45 a.m. for a reported shooting, and LCSO sheriff Mike Chapman said Gailani shot the victims inside the lounge, which is open until 4 a.m. Chapman said Gailani went inside with a gun and shot the two victims.

One victim died on the scene and the other on the way to the hospital, according to WTOP. The victims' identities have not been released.

No motive has been announced Gailani is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond.

(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Additional reporting by Patch editor Skip Wood

Image via LCSO