A 23-year-old man is accused of using an air pistol to shoot people and vehicles from inside a South Arlington apartment early yesterday morning (Thursday).
The Arlington County Police Department was dispatched around 4:40 a.m. to a report of a shooting just off of Columbia Pike, in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, according to a press release. They arrived to find two men who had been struck by projectiles, suffering “minor injuries.”
Three parked vehicles had also been struck and damaged, the press release says.
“While on scene, officers determined the projectiles had been discharged from an apartment window,” police said.
Authorities entered the apartment to find the suspect, Donis Manuel Chan Ajtum, with an air pistol, cartridges and projectiles, according to the press release. They booked him on charges of reckless handling of a firearm, two counts of assault and battery, two counts of shooting a missile at occupied vehicles and three counts of destruction of property, plus possession of fake ID and fraudulent use of identification.
The complete press release is below.
The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is announcing the arrest of an Arlington man following an investigation into the discharge of an air pistol from an apartment building. Donis Manuel Chan Ajtum, 23, is charged with Reckless Handing of a Firearm, Assault & Battery (x2), Shoot Missile at Occupied Vehicles (x2), Destruction of Property (x3), Possession of Fake Identification and Fraudulent Use of Identification. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.
At approximately 4:39 a.m. on November 6, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of S. Courthouse Road for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers were flagged down by an adult male victim who had been struck by a projectile. Officers subsequently located a second adult male victim who was struck by a projectile while outside his vehicle. Both victims sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention. Additionally, three parked vehicles were also struck and damaged by projectiles.
While on scene, officers determined the projectiles had been discharged from an apartment window. Responding officers located the apartment unit, made entry and took the suspect into custody. During the execution of a search warrant, an air pistol, CO2 cartridges and projectiles were recovered. The suspect was also determined to be in possession of fake identification.
This remains an active investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s tip line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
