Police: Dispute Over Eviction Led to Gunfire

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A man who had been evicted from his residence faces multiple charges for allegedly firing a shot after midnight Wednesday toward a home in the Manassas area and then trying to elude police.

Stephen Wade Stanko, 50, of no fixed address, has been charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle, felony eluding, driving under the influence, being a habitual offender, obstruction of justice, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and unreasonable refusal, according to the Prince William County police. He’s being held without bond at the Prince William-Manassas regional jail, and his next date in court is Aug. 5.

Stanko allegedly drove his vehicle to a home in the 8500 block of Thomas Circle and fired a bullet from his firearm towards the home. The incident stemmed from a dispute at the residence, where the accused had been evicted, the police said.

Officers responded at 12:42 a.m. Thursday to a report of shots fired at the scene, according to a police report. The caller gave the police information about the vehicle and the suspect, who was identified as Stanko.

A responding officer located Stanko’s vehicle in the area of Sudley Road near Rolling Road and attempted to pull it over. Stanko ignored the emergency lights on the officer’s cruiser, made an abrupt U-turn and continued to flee on Sudley Road.

Stanko’s vehicle eventually came to a stop in the Manaport Shopping Plaza, and he was detained without further incident. Officers found a handgun in Stanko’s vehicle following his arrest, and he was determined to be intoxicated. No injuries or property damage were reported.