Police searching for suspect after 23-year-old man shot to death at Arlington house party
ARLINGTON (ABC7) — It was supposed to be a night of celebration after moving into a new home, but a housewarming party in North Arlington ended with a man being shot to death.
A quiet and family-friendly street in the Williamsburg neighborhood turned into a crime scene Sunday morning. Police tape stretched across the 6300 block of N. 29th Street as Arlington County Police collected evidence.
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Neighbors said a group of guys moved onto the block about a month ago, and decided to throw a housewarming party. They put the invite out to their friends on Facebook, and even alerted their neighbors in case it got too loud.
According to police, a fight broke out around 3:20 a.m. Sunday, and Michael Gray, 23, was shot in the front yard.
"I was in the basement and we didn't hear the gunshots until we get upstairs and everyone in the house got rounded by the police, so that's when like it slowly hit us," said Adarsha Karki, who was at the party.
Karki said music was playing and the alcohol was flowing. About 45 people were having a good time when a fight broke out outside.
Police said officers were in the area and heard the gunshots. When they arrived, they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital where he later died.
"It's a shock because everybody is up against the wall and you're confused about what's going on and just sitting down on the floor," said Bibas Sharma, who added police confiscated guests’ cell phones before questioning them.
"It was just pure shock because it was a very friendly vibe. I didn't even think anyone would bring a gun in the party, much less shoot anyone," Karki said.
Evidence markers could be seen outside the home and detectives spent hours working the scene. Officers canvassed the neighborhood and knocked on neighbor’s doors to learn more information.
The crime scene was only a few blocks away from Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School. Lauren Nguyen said she heard the commotion outside her home, and at first she thought something was thrown at her window.
"We’re just very unsettled right now, this usually doesn't happen in this neighborhood and we're hopeful it doesn't happen again," Nguyen said.
Police are now searching for Jason Allen Johnson, 37, of Washington, D.C., in connection to the shooting. Johnson is wanted for murder, according to police.
Johnson is described as a black man who stands five-foot-five inches tall and weighs 145 pounds, police say. He was last known to be going in a direction towards the state of Maryland.
Anyone with information is asked to contact (703) 228-4185 or to remain anonymous contact Arlington County Crime Solvers at 1-(866) 411-TIPS (8477).
Note: Initially police reported the man was 24-year-old but now confirm he was 23 years old. See full press release here.
