The possibility that 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen was sexually assaulted during the events leading to her death is being investigated, police say.
Edwin Roessler, Fairfax County Police Department chief, told media prior to the start of a vigil in Nabra’s honor Wednesday that test results are being awaited before any official statement can be made.
“At this point in time right now, it’s an active investigation,” Roessler said. “We’re pursuing that possibility [that a sexual assault happened], but we have to wait for forensic examination results and the report of autopsy from the medical examiner to confirm whether or not that took place.”
The assaults Nabra suffered prior to her death were “one continuous event” that began in Fairfax County and ended in Loudoun County, Roessler said. He reiterated once again, emphatically, that no evidence has emerged that points to the killing as being a hate crime.
“Right now, that is a myth on social media,” Roessler said. “There is no evidence at this point in the investigation, at all, that this was hate-motivated.”
Roessler said if anyone has information that would point toward the crime being bias-motivated, he wants to hear it. But he shot down several questions from media regarding rumors about the suspect’s motives.
Imam Mohamed Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society expressed his confidence in the work of the Fairfax County Police Department, and he thanked them for all they have done already to help put the pieces together.
“We are so glad that they were able to find [the suspect] and get him into custody very quick,” Magid said. “The community has trust in [the police] in this investigation. They told us they will not leave any stone unturned in this investigation, and we appreciate that.”
The suspect, a 22-year-old Salvadoran national named Darwin Martinez Torres, remains in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. He has a court date set for July 19.
She was beautiful. She was selfless. She was caring. She was open-minded. She was compassionate. She was so many other wonderful things.
That message was heard by a crowd of attendees in the thousands at a vigil in her honor Wednesday evening at Lake Anne Plaza. It was shared by the family and friends of the slain 17-year-old Reston girl, as well as by members of the area’s interfaith community, as they said goodbye to a beloved young lady taken too soon and too violently.
She was a young lady who must be remembered as more than just another faceless victim of a violent crime, mourners reminded.
“We tend to talk about ‘a Muslim woman’ or ‘a black woman,'” said Herndon native Rosalie Kendall, who now lives in Arlington. She came to the vigil with a sign that read, in part, #SayHerName. “[We don’t] talk about them by name when these things happen, and that makes them seem like they’re interchangeable and disposal.”
One of Nabra’s family members who addressed the crowd during the vigil repeated the sentiment.
“I just want to say, ‘I love you, baby girl, and I know you’re looking down,’ and I just hope she rests easy,” said a cousin. “Thank you all for coming and please don’t forget to say her name.”
#NabraHassanen vigil https://t.co/txvf0grcMG
— Dave Emke (@emkedave) June 21, 2017
In addition to tearful speeches from friends and family, the vigil featured an address from Imam Mohamed Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, of which Nabra was a member and where she was just before she was killed early Sunday morning by a Salvadoran national police say experienced extreme road rage. Nabra was laid to rest earlier Wednesday following a funeral service at ADAMS.
Magid said the large crowd of all ages, religions and races that came out Wednesday night to support Nabra was a testament to her spirit.
“The love and the respect and the care this community has shown to all of us is overwhelming,” Magid said. “Everybody made us feel as if this is their own daughter, and I appreciate that very much.”
Other speakers included Rabbi Michael Holzman of the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, as well as a representative of Restoration Church, located very near Nabra’s home on Becontree Lane.
Nabra was a sophomore at South Lakes High School, and the event was organized by the SLHS Muslim Student Association. Principal Kim Retzer spoke on behalf of the school.
“As we mourn the loss of Nabra, we delight in the fact that we were part of her journey and she touched our lives in a very meaningful way,” Retzer said. “We will remember her for the joy she brought us in the short time we knew her, for her sweet smile, for her love of family and friends, and for the way she united our school and our community.”
The community came together with an outpouring of signs, flowers and kind words during the vigil. A memorial book was signed by many of those who attended, and some made displays of their condolences through chalk artwork on the bricks at the plaza’s entrance.
Nada A., a Muslim woman from Reston who declined to provide her full last name, was one of those who left a message in chalk. After drawing a heart with “In Loving Memory – Nabra” etched inside, she said that while she didn’t know Nabra personally, she felt a connection with her.
“This is bringing people together and shattering any sort of boundaries; any sort of taboos; any racial, social or religious boundaries,” Nada said. “Everyone is just gathering for a girl whose life was just taken away too soon — it really is just the common factor.”
Romin Patel, who lives at Lake Anne, said he came out for the vigil because he was compelled to show his support for the community.
“We are one, there is no different race,” he said. “If we could just help each other out, it would be great for society as a whole.”
For more scenes and reactions from Wednesday’s vigil, see below.
Folk Music Tonight at Lake Anne — The “Take A Break” concert series at Lake Anne Plaza will continue tonight with a performance by contemporary folk artists Sweater Set. [Lake Anne Plaza]
Car Hits Pole in Reston — A Wednesday evening crash on Lawyers Road at Soapstone Drive took out power and closed the road. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Fireworks Safety Urged — Fireworks can turn a holiday into a tragedy within seconds when illegal and dangerous fireworks are being used. Fire officials have released a video to promote fireworks safety this July Fourth. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/YouTube]
Shared-Use Path Planned — A meeting June 29 will discuss a proposed path from the future Innovation Station Metro station kiss-and-ride on the north side of the Dulles Toll Road. [Fairfax County Department of Transportation]
Photo via @butler_law on Twitter
Homicide detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department will continue to lead the investigation into the death of 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen of Reston.
Jurisdictional issues have arisen since the crime, which took place just before 4 a.m. Sunday. Police say Nabra was assaulted and abducted near the intersection of Dranesville Road and Woodson Drive, which is just east of the Fairfax/Loudoun county line. Police say she was then taken to Loudoun County, where she was assaulted again and her body was thrown into a pond.
According to police accounts, Nabra and a group of friends had been at a Ramadan service at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society and were on their way back after going to breakfast at the McDonald’s in the Town Center at Sterling plaza. Both of those places are just west of the Fairfax/Loudoun line.
“The Fairfax County Police Department has partnered closely with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office with the common goal of justice for Nabra as well as for her family, friends and community,” FCPD said in a news release. “Our department will continue to work alongside the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney as this case moves forward.”
Police have charged 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres, a Salvadoran national, with murder in the case. They say Torres became enraged with the group of teens and exited his car wielding a baseball bat, striking Nabra. An autopsy revealed her cause of death as blunt force trauma.
Nabra was finishing her sophomore year at South Lakes High School.
Police say they are not investigating Nabra’s death as a hate crime; however, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond Morrogh has said he will continue to weigh the possibility before deciding how to proceed with the case. Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman says he supports the decision to keep the case in Fairfax County and “will lend any assistance if requested.”
Volunteers Needed for Kids’ Triathlon — Help is needed for many different aspects of the annual Reston Kids’ Triathlon, scheduled for the morning of Sunday, Aug. 6. [Sign Up Genius]
Great Falls Woman Dies in Crash — Mai-Huong Nguyen, a 73-year-old woman from Great Falls, died Tuesday after her car ran off the road and struck a utility pole on Riverbend Road. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Reston Businesses Named to ‘Top Workplace’ Lists — The Washington Post has released its annual “Top Workplace” lists, and numerous businesses with ties to Reston are on them. [Washington Post]
Dulles Corridor Committee Meets Soon — The Dulles Corridor Advisory Committee will meet Friday, June 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the Center for Innovative Technology (2214 Rock Hill Road, Herndon). The public is invited. [Dulles Toll Road]
Local Man Wins Bay Swim — Andrew Gyenis, a 22-year-old from Herndon, scored the best time in the recent 26th Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Swim. He crossed the bay in 1 hour, 29 minutes. [Bay Weekly]
Photo via @maddy_davison on Twitter
(This article was updated at 10:20 a.m. to include the day’s schedule from the ADAMS Center.)
Services for Nabra Hassanen will take place this afternoon at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (46903 Sugarland Road, Sterling).
Hassanen was killed Sunday after what police say was an extreme road-rage incident on Dranesville Road. She was walking along with friends back toward the ADAMS Center from McDonald’s.
The ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the ADAMS Center. South Lakes High School released the following information this morning for those who would like to attend:
- The ADAMS Center has two levels. Those attending who do not practice the faith will be seated either in the sanctuary area in chairs off to the side or on the balcony level. Men and women are separate in the sanctuary area and guests seated in that area will also be separate by gender.
- Please dress conservatively — shirts should be elbow-length or below and pants or skirts should be at or below the knee. Dressing conservatively is expected. Head coverings or scarfs for women are appropriate if you choose.
- The funeral service is not very long (30 mins). For those who are guests, our role will be to reflect in quiet while observing the traditional prayers. Unlike most Christian services, there are not usually speakers or tributes done.
- There are no flowers — do not bring nor do any groups need to send.
- The burial will take place afterward [at Sterling Cemetery]. The ADAMS Center is providing some transportation for those who would like to attend. Please note that the burial is a very quiet, somber ceremony with a lot of tradition. The men in the family take the active role. It is most appropriate for family and close friends to attend.
Our thoughts & prayers are with Sr. Nabra's family, May Allah (swt) grant comfort, serenity, strength and patience in this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/i459PWzixt
— ADAMS Center (@ADAMSCenter_) June 21, 2017
A public vigil in Nabra’s memory is also planned for 6:30 p.m. tonight at Lake Anne Plaza. More than 1,400 people have indicated on Facebook that they plan to attend. Check the Facebook page for information about parking.
That big new building at 12130 Sunset Hills Road? It’s Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, and it has announced an Aug. 28 opening date.
Before that date, though, the restaurant is looking to hire more than 200 people. Its first hiring fair is set for Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at its temporary hiring office, 12100 Sunset Hills Road Suite 130.
“Positions range from servers to line cooks, bartenders to wine tasting room attendants,” according to a press release. “Just about every job needed to run an upscale winery and restaurant needs to be filled.”
Additional hiring events are scheduled for July 11-12 and July 25-26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Cooper’s Hawk will be conducting open interviews with applicants on the spot, according to the release, as it aims to fill 202 positions.
According to founder and CEO Tim McEnery in the press release:
“We are currently looking to staff team members who have a passion for wine, food and first-class hospitality and look forward to meeting and working with many great members of the community. We are offering our staff a highly competitive pay rate, for example line cooks will be paid at $15 per hour and hosts at $12 per hour.”
Candidates who wish to apply but who are unable to attend a hiring fair are invited to do so online at apply.chwinery.com, or check out @CareersatCH on Twitter and Instagram.
Cooper’s Hawk will be the anchor of the RTC West restaurant and retail complex. Other restaurants expected for the site include Nando’s Peri-Peri, Mezeh Mediterranean Grill and BGR The Burger Joint.
This will be the 30th Cooper’s Hawk location nationwide. There are two others in Virginia, in Ashburn and Richmond.
The suspect in Sunday’s killing of a South Lakes High School sophomore is under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.
Carissa Cutrell, a spokesperson for ICE, confirmed that the detainer was lodged Monday against 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres of Sterling. Torres is facing a murder charge in the death of 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen, who was attacked on Dranesville Road in Herndon early Sunday morning. Her body was found later that day in a Sterling pond.
Torres is a citizen of El Salvador living in the United States. An ICE detainer is filed to “identify and ultimately remove criminal aliens who are currently in federal, state or local custody,” according to the ICE website.
“ICE lodges detainers on aliens who have been arrested on local criminal charges when the agency has probable cause to believe an alien is removable from the United States,” Cutrell said, adding that Torres had no encounters with ICE prior to this case.
The Fairfax County Police Department believes Torres killed Hassanen after becoming enraged by the group of teens walking from McDonald’s toward the All Dulles Area Muslim Society following a Ramadan service. He chased after the teens, police said, and caught Hassanen. He allegedly struck her with a baseball bat before putting her in his car and taking her to Loudoun County, where police say he killed her.
Torres remains in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. He has a court date set for July 19.
SLHS Class of 2017 Graduates Tonight — The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Eagle Bank Arena on the campus of George Mason University. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Nationwide Vigils for Nabra Hassanen — The Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment has planned numerous vigils across the nation in honor of Nabra Hassanen, the Reston teen who was killed Sunday. Events are scheduled in DC, New York, Philadelphia, Boston and more. [WISE/Facebook]
Connolly Talks Issues — Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) held a town-hall meeting Monday night in Reston. Check out his Twitter feed to see what was discussed. [Gerry Connolly/Twitter]
Volunteers Sought for Century Ride — The 35th annual ride is scheduled for Aug. 27, and helpers are needed for planning, rest stops and cleanup. [Reston Bike Club]
Photo of Reston sunset courtesy Lizette Badillo Ryan
A 17-year-old Reston girl was killed early Sunday morning because a driver became extremely enraged, police say.
At a press conference Monday evening, representatives of the Fairfax County Police Department continued to fight rumors that Nabra Hassanen was killed because she was Muslim. Instead, they said, she was killed because of the quickly escalating temper of the assailant, who police say is 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres of Sterling.
Police confirmed Monday evening that a body found in a Sterling pond Sunday afternoon is Nabra. They say she was part of a large group of teenagers walking and biking back on Dranesville Road, toward the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, from McDonald’s at about 3:40 a.m. Sunday when the altercation began.
“Torres drove up to this group, and a male teen who was on a bike began arguing with Torres,” said Julie Parker, director of FCPD’s media relations bureau. “At that point, the group scattered. Witnesses say that Torres caught up with the group a short time later in a nearby parking lot and got out of his car armed with a baseball bat.”
The suspect began chasing the group of about 15 teens, Parker said, and Nabra was the one he caught. Police said they do not yet know why the suspect was so enraged, but that there is no indication that he had any particular bias against Muslims.
“His anger over that earlier encounter led to violence when he hit Nabra with the baseball bat,” Parker said. “Torres then took Nabra with him in his car to a second location nearby, in Loudoun County.”
Lt. Bryan Holland of FCPD’s Criminal Investigation Unit said that Nabra was assaulted a second time in Loudoun County before the suspect dumped her body and returned to the area of the altercation, where his car was identified by a patrolling officer and he was arrested at about 5:15 a.m.
Police believe the suspect acted alone, and they are not searching for any others. Torres is being held without bond.
Both FCPD and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova said they stand with the Muslim community as some live in fear, despite police statements that no religious or ethnic bias was at play in this case.
“Law enforcement will not know for sure until all of the facts are uncovered in this case, and it is still an ongoing investigation,” Bulova said. “While the police work to uncover the motive, the fact remains that any violent murder is a senseless and hateful act.”
The case may be prosecuted in Loudoun County if the continued investigation merits such a move, police said.
Several thousand area residents are reported to be without power after a strong storm tore through, Dominion Energy reports.
Countywide, more than 26,000 customers were without power as of about 4:05 p.m. Monday. Crews are assessing damage and working to restore electricity.
4:05 pm: 26,000+ @DomEnergyVA customers without power. Be sure to report your outage: https://t.co/UM3XmWUgzh or https://t.co/xkymozYIIL
— Fairfax County Government 🇺🇸 (@fairfaxcounty) June 19, 2017
Outages can be reported to Dominion Energy online or by calling 1-866-366-4357.
Aniq Bhatti, one of Nabra Hassanen’s classmates at South Lakes High School, said the girl had no enemies.
“No enemies at all,” Bhatti reiterated. “She would never want to or have to. That’s the way she is.”
Bhatti was one of many friends and neighbors who came to Nabra’s home Monday afternoon as a tight-knit community mourned the untimely loss of the beloved young girl. They gathered around Nabra’s mother, Sawsan Gazzar, in her stairwell to provide their condolences and share in her grief.
Nabra was killed early Sunday morning after being attacked and separated from her friends while walking on Dranesville Road near the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, police say.
The line of mourners stretched down the stairs and, at times, far down the sidewalk of the apartment complex on Becontree Lane. Tears abounded as dozens of Nabra’s friends from SLHS joined the line, fresh off an emotional day at the school.
“No one hated her. No one ever talked bad about her,” said Yanis Gribi, one of those friends. “She didn’t deserve to die like that.”
Police say a man attacked Nabra as she was walking back from breakfast with her friends following an overnight activity at the ADAMS Center. A body, presumably Nadra’s, was recovered later Sunday in a pond in Sterling.
A suspect in the case, 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres of Sterling, was arrested Sunday and faces a murder charge. He is being held without bond.
Fairfax County Police said Monday morning that the case is not being investigated as a hate crime, but rather as a case of road rage. However, county prosecutor Ray Morrogh said later in the day that he would wait until more information is collected before deciding how to proceed.
“For what happened, and how she is, I don’t think she deserved to die like that,” Gribi said. “And to be thrown in a lake, like she was trash, like she was nothing.”
Her friends decorated her locker at South Lakes with pictures, flowers and notes. Nabra was finishing her sophomore year.
“She was everyone’s friend — everyone,” said Liban Issak. “She loved everybody and everything. She brought everyone together.”
A vigil to celebrate Nabra’s life is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lake Anne Plaza.
Photo of locker courtesy Yanis Gribi
The National Weather Service says there is an increased risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
Showers/tstms w of mtns will cross area this PM. Main threats: damaging winds & torrential rain. 2ndry threats: isol hail, maybe a tornado. pic.twitter.com/dFyjt7CIkN
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) June 19, 2017
Threats relating to the severe storm outlook include damaging winds, large hail and flooding.
According to the Capital Weather Gang:
“Between 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., thunderstorms are likely — some of which may produce torrential rain and damaging wind gusts. Rainfall across the region should average 0.5-1.0 inches, but amounts are likely to vary with locally higher and lower amounts to be expected. Flash flooding cannot be ruled out in the hardest hit locations.”
Happy Monday! Strong/severe storms expected this afternoon. Stay weather alert today. https://t.co/wQEpogxYI8 https://t.co/q8VeZqt6m6
— Fairfax County Government 🇺🇸 (@fairfaxcounty) June 19, 2017
Update: Police Not Looking at Teen’s Death as Hate Crime — The Fairfax County Police Department says the killing of a 17-year-old Muslim girl from Reston is not being investigated as bias-motivated. We are continuing to follow this story and will provide more information as it becomes available. [Fairfax County Police Department/Twitter]
Connolly Hosting Town Hall Tonight — Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) will host a town-hall meeting at Sunset Hills Montessori School (11180 Ridge Heights Road) from 7-8:30 p.m. tonight. The congressman will provide a congressional update and then take audience questions. [Eventbrite]
County Seeks Volunteers for Attack Prep — The Fairfax County Health Department has robust plans in place to respond to a wide-scale bioterrorism attack. Volunteers are needed to help with a training exercise Saturday, July 29. [Fairfax County Health Department]
County Office for Children Gets Grant — The grant will allow the office to work with high-quality family child care programs in areas of Fairfax County with concentrated poverty to provide preschool services for eligible children. [Gov. Terry McAuliffe]
Herndon Woman Sees Central Asia — Cathy Alifrangis says her special birthday journey to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was filled with culture, history and pleasant surprises. [Washington Post]
(This article was updated at 8:50 a.m. after FCPD announced that the killing is not being investigated as a hate crime.)
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society says it is “devastated and heartbroken” after a 17-year-old girl was killed near the mosque early Sunday morning.
The teen, who has been identified by family and friends as Nabra Hassanen of Reston, was a “dear daughter, sister and friend,” the ADAMS Center said in a Facebook post late Sunday night.
Police and the ADAMS Center both report the girl was walking with a group of teens along Dranesville Road early Sunday morning when a man exited his vehicle and assaulted and abducted Hassanen. The other members of the group were helped by “community members,” according to ADAMS, and directed back toward the mosque. ADAMS Center personnel contacted authorities in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, who began their search for the girl.
A suspect, 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres of Sterling, was arrested a few hours later when he was spotted “driving suspiciously” in the area of the abduction. A female body was found at about 3 p.m. Sunday in a pond in Sterling; the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will provide identification and determine the exact cause and manner of death.
“We thank both Fairfax County Police and Loudoun County Sheriff’s departments for their diligent efforts in investigating and apprehending a suspect,” the ADAMS Center said. “We call on law enforcement to investigate and determine the motive of this crime and prosecute to the full extent of the law.”
The Fairfax County Police Department says Hassanen’s killing is not being investigated as a hate crime.
We are NOT investigating this murder as a hate crime. https://t.co/f6TegmdKMR pic.twitter.com/mlGzrQfiMk
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) June 19, 2017
Hassanen was a sophomore at South Lakes High School, where counselors will be on site today. Counselors will also be at the ADAMS Center to assist anyone in need of support.
A vigil has also been slated for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lake Anne Plaza.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Image via LaunchGood.com
