Reston man arrested in fatal shooting was released from custody the day before

A manhunt ended Wednesday when police took into custody a suspect accused of killing a man inside a home in Reston, Virginia.

Fairfax County police deployed drones, a helicopter and K-9 units as they searched a neighborhood for the man suspected in the shooting.

Police arrested Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortez, 23, Wednesday afternoon and recovered a gun at the scene, according to a social media post from the department. A county police spokesperson confirmed to WTOP that Morales-Ortez faces charges of second-degree murder and firearm-related offenses.

Police Chief Kevin Davis said the suspect fatally shot another man inside a home in the 12300 block of Fan Shell Court before fleeing the area on a bicycle. The neighborhood sits near the intersection of the Dulles Access Road and Fairfax County Parkway.

Morales-Ortez’s last known address was the same home where the shooting occurred.

Court records from the Fairfax County General District Court show Morales-Ortez was arrested on Sept. 14 on a misdemeanor firearms charge and a felony malicious assault charge. He was released from custody on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Following his release, Fairfax County Police obtained an Emergency Custody Order (ECO) for Morales-Ortez, according to a post on the department’s social media. ECOs remain valid for eight hours and are issued when there is probable cause that, due to mental illness, a person is likely to cause or suffer serious harm.

“FCPD patrol officers responded to the address of record for Morales-Ortez and did not locate him at his residence,” the Fairfax County Police posted. “The ECO expired shortly thereafter.”

Police believe the man who was killed lived in the home, Davis said.

“They probably have resided in the same house, either now or at some time in the past before,” Davis said during a news conference. “So logically, to assume that they know each other and are familiar with each other is a safe bet to make.”

Police have not yet released a motive in the case.

The man who was fatally shot has not been identified, Davis said.

Court records from the Fairfax County General District Court show Morales-Ortez was also arrested in June 2024 on a petit larceny charge. He was tried and found guilty in absentia but was released on his own recognizance.

A suspect flees on a bike, prompting a manhunt

Before police located Morales-Ortez, Davis said, “We need to put handcuffs on a person who just shot and killed another human being inside of a home in this residential community, and that’s what we’re working really hard to do.”

Police shared a photo of Morales-Ortez on social media and cast a “wide net” in their search, Davis said.

The police chief said Morales-Ortez was considered “armed and dangerous.”

Five Fairfax County Public Schools in the area were placed under “secure the building” status while police searched for Morales-Ortez, the school system said in a statement to WTOP. Under that status, students and staff were required to remain inside, and dismissals were delayed until police determined it was safe.