Jury Convicts Woodbridge Man For 2020 Tackett's Mill Murder

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A jury convicted a Woodbridge man of second degree murder this week in connection with a fatal shooting during a drug deal at Tackett's Mill in Dec. 2020, the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney said.

The shooting killed Matthew Costanzo, a 22-year-old man from Woodbridge. A friend of Costanzo suffered a gunshot wound through her arm and into her torso, but she survived, authorities said.

Taron Thomas was convicted of second degree murder on Monday, the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office said in a news release. He was also convicted of aggravated malicious wounding, two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit robbery, and attempted robbery.

Based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines, Thomas could spend the rest of his life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2023.

Authorities said that Thomas agreed to a marijuana deal on Dec. 22, 2020 at the Tackett's Mill Shopping Center in Woodbridge. Police claimed that Thomas attempted to rob the victim and fired six shots into the two victims.

Another man who was with Thomas, Daquil Smith, fired seven gunshots at the victims. Smith was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Sept. 2021, but his case is currently being appealed.

Costanzo suffered eight gunshot wounds and first responders pronounced him dead after the shooting.

Amy Ashworth is the Commonwealth's Attorney for Prince William County. "Our office is committed to the prosecution of violent offenders," Ashworth said in a news release. "This was a challenging case, and I am extremely proud of the prosecutors that worked diligently to bring justice to the surviving victim and Mr. Costanzo’s family."