An illegal alien from El Salvador who allegedly shot and killed his roommate in northern Virginia had reportedly been released from jail the day before.
Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortez, 23, allegedly shot his roommate at their Reston residence on Wednesday. The man died at the scene, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
After a manhunt and “with the help of a community tip, Ortez was quickly located nearby and taken into custody.”
🚨Suspect in custody!🚨
Officers took the suspect into custody and recovered a firearm on scene. Detectives continue to investigate. Available updates will be posted on our blog https://t.co/PBMfNnSkey pic.twitter.com/rleSl9twhe
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) December 17, 2025
Morales-Ortez had been released the day before the shooting despite a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer request, Fox News’s Bill Melugin reported. He was in jail facing charges for assault and brandishing a weapon that were dropped prior to his release.
Morales-Ortez has a history of criminal charges in Fairfax County, including a first-degree murder charge in 2021 that was dropped after it was determined he wasn’t involved, ABC 7 reported.
“Fairfax County FAILED the victim by refusing to work with ICE and releasing this criminal alien onto Virginia streets instead of safely into ICE custody,” ICE told Fox News. “If Fairfax County would have simply worked to uphold our nation’s laws, then this tragedy may have never happened.”
Morales-Ortez is now charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, Fairfax County Police Department said.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a post on X that “the sanctuary politicians of Fairfax County, VA have blood on their hands.”
The sanctuary politicians of Fairfax County, VA have blood on their hands.
The day after Fairfax County REFUSED to hand over Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortez, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, to ICE he allegedly MURDERED an American citizen.
He has a prior history of… pic.twitter.com/9KtG8bCIsO
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 19, 2025
