Suspect In Manassas Area School Shooting Arrested: Police

MANASSAS, VA — An 18-year-old suspect in an alleged shooting at West Gate Elementary School in the Manassas area was arrested Thursday, the Prince William County Police Department said Friday.

On Tuesday afternoon, police responded to a reported shooting at the elementary school. The police department said that when two groups of people separated after an argument, Bryan Alberto Zelaya, of Manassas, allegedly was provided a firearm by another member of his group.

Zelaya allegedly took the firearm and fired a round in the direction of the opposing group before both groups dispersed. Both groups had fled the area on foot prior to police arriving at the school around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday.

The police department said it took Zelaya into custody Thursday without incident. No injuries were reported in the alleged shooting incident.

Zelaya was charged with reckless handling of a firearm, shooting a firearm in a public place, shooting a firearm on school property and possession of a weapon on school grounds. Zelaya is being held in jail without bond, the police said.