Police: Man Fired Handgun Into Ground Near West Springfield Homes

WEST SPRINGFIELD, VA — An 18-year-old Lorton man faces a firearm charge after witnesses reported seeing someone fire a handgun into the ground near several West Springfield homes, according to Fairfax County police and court records.

Officers were called to the 5000 block of Hall Street around 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday to investigate the report of a shooting, police said. Witnesses told officers that a group of men had been in the neighborhood and that one of them fired a handgun into the ground.

The men left in separate vehicles before officers arrived, according to police. Officers found the vehicles a short distance away and detained the men in the 8600 block of Reseca Lane. Police said officers also recovered the handgun. No injuries were reported.

Court Hearing Scheduled For October

Detectives identified Amen Tilahun Giorgis of Lorton as the person accused of firing the gun, according to police and Fairfax County General District Court records.

Giorgis was arrested and charged under Virginia Code Section 18.2-56.1 with reckless handling of a firearm, court records show. The offense is listed as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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Police said Giorgis was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and later released on a $1,000 unsecured bond. The online court docket lists his status as released on recognizance.

An adjudicatory hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 26 in Fairfax County General District Court. As of Aug. 7, the docket did not list a plea or disposition in the firearm case.

Earlier Cases Resolved In Absentia

Separate court records show Giorgis was found guilty in absentia Aug. 6 in four cases stemming from a July 9 traffic stop.

Those cases involved operating a vehicle with prohibited window tint or decals, operating a vehicle with sun-shading or tint film, failing to carry or display a driver’s license and operating or permitting the operation of an uninsured vehicle.

The uninsured-vehicle offense was classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor. The other three cases were infractions. The court assessed a combined $215 in fines and $175 in court costs, for a total of $390, according to the records.

Police Seek Information

Anyone with information about the Hall Street incident may call the Fairfax County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 703-256-8035 and ask to speak with a detective.

Anonymous tips may be submitted to Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 866-411-8477, online or through the P3 Tips app, police said.