Double Murder Suspect Arrives in Fairfax County
Detectives arrive at the Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters with double murder suspect Yohannes Nessibu. He was extradited from Ethiopia.
(Original release date: May 6, 2019)
UPDATE: Arrest Made for 2016 Murders in Burke and Springfield
A 24-year-old man is facing charges for the murders of two Ethiopian-Americans that occurred on consecutive days in December 2016. On the evening of Dec. 22, officers responded to the 6400 block of Blarney Stone Court in Springfield after 22-year-old Henok Yohannes was found dead inside his home with gunshot wounds to his upper body. Early the next morning, officers responded to the 9500 block of Cordwood Court in Springfield, when 22-year-old Kedest Simeneh was found dead in a backyard with a gunshot wound to her upper body.
Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau determined early in their investigation that the murders were related and not random acts of violence. Evidence was presented to a grand jury in March 2017 resulting in indictments against Yohannes Nessibu for two counts of homicide and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Both victims were determined to be associates of Nessibu.
“We will strive for justice in these cases and we will not give up. No matter the distance, no matter the obstacles,” Major Edward O’Carroll said.
Prior to being indicted, Yohannes Nessibu had left the U.S. for Ethiopia. He was taken into custody by Ethiopian authorities in February 2019 and ultimately transferred back to the U.S. on May 3, 2019.
The investigation was conducted by the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes Bureau. The United States thanks the Ethiopian Security Service, Federal Police and Attorney General’s Office for their professionalism and cooperation. Substantial support was also provided by the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Safe Streets Task Force in Northern Virginia and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs in coordinating the extradition of Nessibu.
For further information, watch our news conference here: https://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountyPD/
For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD
(Original release date: May 6, 2019)
MEDIA ALERT: Arrest Made for 2016 Murders in Burke and Springfield
Detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau Homicide Squad charged a 24-year-old man with two counts of homicide and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony in relation to separate 2016 murders in Burke and Springfield. Later this morning, Major Ed O’Carroll, Commander of the Major Crimes Bureau, will update the community on the investigation.
Comments will also be provided by:
● Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Police Chief
● Raymond F. Morrogh, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County
● Vaughn A. Ary, Director, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs
● Matthew J. DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of Criminal Division, FBI Washington Field Office
WHERE:
Public Safety Headquarters
12099 Government Center Parkway
Press Room: 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
WHEN:
Today at 11:30 a.m.
PARKING:
Please DO NOT park in the fire lanes. Parking is available in two garages. Please take note of the vehicle height clearances so you don’t damage your vehicles. Satellite trucks may park on the shoulders as you approach the round-a-bout. When you enter the round-about in front of our building, veer right and you will see a garage on your left and a garage on your right. There are a few first-come-first-serve spots as soon as you enter the garage on the right. There are additional visitor spots in the garage on the left. There will be officers outside to help guide you.
(Original release date: December 23, 2016)
Detectives Investigating Homicide in Burke
West Springfield Police District – Major Crimes and Crime Scene detectives this evening are investigating a homicide in Burke. The victim has been identified as Kedest Sileshi Simeneh, 22, of the 6400 block of Kroy Drive, in Springfield.
This morning just before 9 a.m., a homeowner in the 6500 block of Cordwood Court in Burke, saw a woman on the ground in the backyard who did not appear to be moving. The homeowner called 911 and medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.
An autopsy will determine the exact manner of death.
Detectives are working to verify if there is a link to yesterday’s homicide in Springfield, where Henok Yohannes was found deceased in the 6400 block of Blarney Stone Court. These two crimes do not appear to be random.
We are asking anyone with information to contact the Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers electronically by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637) or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477).
(Original release date: December 23, 2016)
Detectives Investigating a Suspicious Death in the Springfield Area
West Springfield Police District – Officers were called around 8:15 p.m. yesterday (December 22) for a report of a 22 year-old-man found deceased inside his home in the 6400 block of Blarney Stone Court, in Springfield. An investigation determined the victim had apparent trauma to the upper body. Major Crimes and Crime Scene detectives responded and are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.
The victim has been identified as Henok G. Yohannes. Victim Services Specialists are providing support to the family.
An autopsy will determine the exact cause and manner of death. Updates will be released as they become available.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers electronically by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637) or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477).
Please monitor our Twitter platform, @fairfaxpolice and our blog, http://www.fcpdnews.wordpress.com for the latest information
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