On a tragic Friday afternoon in Woodbridge, Virginia, a gathering among acquaintances turned into a scene of devastating violence. Edwin Geovanny Salmeron, a 37-year-old Hispanic male, was shot and killed on May 26, 2023, during this violent outburst. The shooting, which did not appear to be a random act, took place at a residence on Birchdale Avenue where several people had congregated.
The tranquil neighborhood was shattered by the sound of gunfire when one of the attendees, without
warning, brandished a firearm and began shooting. The chaotic scene sent attendees scrambling for safety, fleeing the home in terror. When Prince William County Police arrived, they discovered Mr. Salmeron deceased outside the residence from a gunshot wound. Inside, they found three other men who had also been shot.
Two of the other victims, Luis Alonzo Salgado-Rivas, 41, and Kevin Josue Vallecillo Mendoza, 23, both of Woodbridge, succumbed to their injuries. Mr. Salgado-Rivas passed away at a local hospital later that same day, while Mr. Mendoza died the following day. A fourth victim, a 21-year-old man, was also seriously injured in the attack but was expected to survive.
In the wake of the triple homicide, investigators quickly identified a suspect, 28-year-old Donald Antonio Barahona Quinonez. An extensive manhunt was initiated, and a reward was offered for information leading to his capture. After months of searching, Barahona Quinonez was apprehended in El Salvador on January 22, 2024, by the Special Forces of the National Civil Police. He now faces multiple charges, including three counts of murder, one count of aggravated malicious wounding, and several firearms offenses. Authorities are currently working with federal partners and El Salvadoran officials to extradite him back to Virginia to face trial for the deadly shooting.
