In the early hours of a Saturday morning, the life of 20-year-old Darnell Rashard Ford of Capital Heights, Maryland, was cut short by gunfire. The fatal incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on December 13, 2014, in the rear parking lot of the Safari Lounge, a hookah bar located at 5831 Columbia Pike in the Bailey's Crossroads area of Falls Church, Virginia. Ford was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time of the shooting, several celebrations were taking place at the lounge.
Fairfax County Police detectives responded to the scene to investigate the homicide. They urged anyone who may have witnessed the event or had any information to come forward, expressing their belief that someone present at the busy lounge could provide vital details. Investigators stated that they did not believe the shooting was a random act and that there was no apparent, overt threat to public safety.
In the days following the shooting, the Fairfax County Police Department continued to ask for the public's assistance in identifying the person or persons responsible for Ford's death. However, no arrests have been publicly announced in connection with the murder. The case remains an open investigation, and authorities have not released any information identifying a suspect or suspects.
Darnell Rashard Ford was survived by his parents, Theodore and Donna Ford, a son, a brother, and four sisters. His family held a funeral service for him the following week.
