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Marilyn Medrano-Ortiz, an El Salvadorian national with ties to MS-13 who came into the country from California, has been arrested for the shooting in Sterling that claimed the lives of Mijal Conejero-Romera, of Sterling, and her friend, Arlington resident Diego Alexander Wollett, both 22, in August.
Shortly after 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, the two were shot during an apparent altercation in the 21000 block of Ridgetop Circle - a commercial and residential area - in Sterling.
The double shooting rocked the community, and prompted an extensive investigation, according Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman.
"This investigation included numerous patrol units who canvassed over 320 residential units and 30 businesses, along with more than a dozen detectives and members of our Dive, K-9, Drone, and Search and Rescue Units," he said.
"It also included the use of 39 search warrants and the work of our Crime Analysts who reviewed over 950 hours of video, multiple cell phones and laptops, along with tower dumps, license plate readers, and other analysis."
Medrano-Ortiz was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The investigation into the double fatal is ongoing, and additional charges are expected to be filed.
Chapman took the opportunity to take a shot at the government for "the casual treatment of persons in this country illegally who commit crimes."
"I am on record strongly opposing the presence of MS-13 and other violent gangs in our nation and local communities," the sheriff added.
"MS-13 is an El Salvador-based gang that uses intimidation, crime, and violence as tools of the trade, and there should be no safe place for them here."
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