In the wooded quiet of a Manassas, Virginia evening on July 18, 2024, the life of 18-year-old Ashlin Yamileth Paz was tragically cut short. Police were called to the area of Pineview Road and Cregger Lane just before 8:30 p.m. following reports of a shooting. There, in a secluded, wooded area, they discovered the young woman, a female of no fixed address, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate response of emergency personnel, Paz was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators quickly determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Ashlin had arranged to meet an acquaintance, 20-year-old German Joseth Torres Lizama, at the very location where her body was found. It is believed that an altercation occurred during their planned meeting, which escalated to the fatal shooting. Shortly after the incident, a witness reported seeing a blue 2017 Hyundai Elantra with Virginia license plates leaving the area. This vehicle became a key piece of evidence in the early stages of the investigation. The car was later found abandoned in Fairfax County.
As the investigation progressed, authorities publicly identified German Joseth Torres Lizama as the primary suspect in Ashlin's murder. Warrants were issued for his arrest on charges of murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. For approximately two months, Lizama remained a fugitive, prompting a widespread search.
The manhunt for Lizama concluded on September 17, 2024, when he was apprehended in Lynn, Massachusetts, by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Following his arrest, Lizama was held in custody in Massachusetts, awaiting extradition back to Virginia to face the charges related to the death of Ashlin Yamileth Paz. His capture marked a significant turning point in the case, bringing a measure of relief to a community shaken by the violent loss of a young life.
