Yesterday in Fairfax County, a double homicide claimed the life of a senior at Washington-Liberty High School. An athletics website reported that 18-year-old W-L varsity soccer standout Braden Deahl had earlier this month committed to play for St. Mary’s College in Maryland.
This afternoon, Deahl’s passing was reported to the W-L families by email.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our seniors, Braden Deahl, died on Monday,” wrote Principal Tony Hall. “Braden was a beloved member of the Washington-Liberty family and impacted the lives of many of our students and staff members. He brought much joy to all who knew him, especially his soccer teammates and fellow 12th graders. We all deeply feel his loss.”
READ MORE: 14-year-old injured in fatal Horbury Stabbing
Shortly thereafter, Fairfax County police announced that Deahl was one of two young men killed at an apartment complex near Tysons on Memorial Day.
“On May 29, 2023 at 3:37 p.m., officers responded to an apartment building in the 2200 block of Pimmit Run Lane in Falls Church for a man who had been shot. Jonas Skinner, 20, of Ashburn, was found in the laundry room of the apartment building with a gunshot wound to the upper body,” wrote FCPD. “Officers found three additional individuals in the parking lot suffering from stab wounds to their upper body. Braden Deahl, 18, of Arlington County, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.”
Although one victim is still in the hospital, the other two stabbing victims are likely to live.
According to a press release from FCPD, the killings seem to have been motivated by drugs. A juvenile has been detained and accused of robbing someone to death.
Detectives believe a drug related robbery led to the fatal shooting of one man and the fatal stabbing of another. Police have charged one juvenile in connection to this crime and anticipate more updates to follow.
On May 29, 2023 at 3:37 p.m., officers responded to an apartment building in the 2200 block of Pimmit Run Lane in Falls Church for a man who had been shot. Jonas Skinner, 20, of Ashburn, was found in the laundry room of the apartment building with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel declared Skinner deceased at the scene.
Officers found three additional individuals in the parking lot suffering from stab wounds to their upper body. Braden Deahl, 18, of Arlington County, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The other two victims were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries not believed to be life threatening. One of the juveniles remains hospitalized.
During a search of the area, K9 officers located a significant amount of marijuana nearby believed to be connected to the homicide. All individuals involved are believed to be known to each other and this is not a random act of violence.
Earlier today, a 17-year-old was charged with robbery resulting in death.
Police anticipate more announcements in this case.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death in the coming days.
Deahl is at least the second Arlingtonian to have been killed beyond the boundaries of the county as far this year. In April, a Yorktown High School alumnus died in a hotel room in Washington, D.C.
Below is the entirety of Hall’s letter to the families of Washington-Liberty.
Dear Washington-Liberty Families,
It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our seniors, Braden Deahl, died on Monday. Braden was a beloved member of the Washington-Liberty family, and impacted the lives of many of our students and staff members. He brought much joy to all who knew him, especially his soccer teammates and fellow 12th graders. We all deeply feel his loss.
We know that people within our community will be personally impacted by this loss. On Wednesday, May 31, we will have counseling staff available for any student who feels that they might need extra support. We will maintain as normal a schedule as possible while providing assistance and acknowledging the individual needs of students at this difficult time.
Students who knew Braden or his family may experience a variety of emotions and you may see the following behaviors: tearfulness, vivid dreams, irritability, clinginess, withdrawal, physical complaints, fear of dying, or difficulty concentrating. Please talk with your student and note that it is important to provide them with reassurance and the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. The resources below from the National Association of School Psychologists also provide tips and ideas to support your child with loss:
If you have concerns about your child and this loss, please contact your child’s school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker. The W-L Counseling Office can be reached at 703-228-6250.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Braden’s family and friends. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Tony Hall
Principal