In the late evening of October 27, 2022, a burst of gunfire shattered the night in a wooded area behind a business in the 13900 block of Richmond Highway in Woodbridge, Virginia. When the echo of the shots faded, 18-year-old Milton Humberto Escalante Escobar, a male resident of Woodbridge, was left with fatal injuries. Police and emergency personnel arrived at the scene around 10:24 p.m. to find an individual in a parking lot rendering first aid to Escalante Escobar, who was suffering from gunshot wounds. He was quickly transported to a local hospital, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting suggests that an altercation took place in the wooded area shortly before the shots were fired. Immediately following the sound of gunfire, a vehicle was seen fleeing the area, leaving behind a scene that would soon become a homicide investigation. Detectives from the Prince William County Police Department's Violent Crimes Bureau began piecing together the events of that night, determining that the shooting did not appear to be a random act. Despite their efforts, a suspect or suspects have not been publicly identified, and no description has been released.
The case of Milton Humberto Escalante Escobar's death remains an active and unsolved homicide. In an effort to bring closure to his family and see justice served, the Prince William County Police Department is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for his death. Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any details that might help them solve the case and are asking anyone with information to contact their tipline.
