Inmate Dies Awaiting Trial While At Prince William Jail: Police

MANASSAS, VA — An inmate died at the Prince William-Manassas Adult Detention Center on Tuesday morning. Authorities identified the inmate as Mohammad Ekram Sherdil.

Sherdil was held at the adult detention center on charges of attempted murder, carjacking, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

The charges stemmed from a December 2016 shooting on Forestdale Avenue in Dale City. Sherdil had been held at the jail since February 2017, according to court records.

Around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, another inmate reported Sherdil was unresponsive in his cell, police said. Medical staff provided first aid until rescue personnel arrived. Sherdil was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Prince William County Police Department did not disclose Sherdil's cause of death. The department said no foul play was suspected.

Sherdil's body was taken to the medical examiner's office in Manassas for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Sherdil's trial was originally scheduled for February 2019, but the date was rescheduled seven different times. Earlier this month, his trial was delayed again and scheduled for September 2021.