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Ismael Cruz Delcid of Herndon was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Oct. 20, 2025, for the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old acquaintance in March 2024.

Cruz Delcid, identified as 19 in court reporting and as 20 in a statement from Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, faces up to 10 years in prison at his Jan. 9, 2026, sentencing hearing.

The shooting began after Cruz Delcid saw two teenage acquaintances while sitting in his car in a parking lot on Coppermine Road and motioned for them to approach, according to Descano’s account. As the 14-year-old neared the vehicle, Cruz Delcid placed a loaded gun in his waistband and got out.

The conversation among the three escalated. After moving away from the teenagers, Cruz Delcid fired three rounds. Two struck the 14-year-old in the neck and chest, killing him. Police said the third shot was directed at the other teenager but missed.

“My heart breaks for the victim’s family,” Descano said after the verdict. “His parents deserved the chance to see him graduate high school and pursue his dreams. He had his whole life ahead of him, and I hope that this conviction allows everyone who knew him to continue healing from this terrible loss.”

The victim was a Westfield High School student in good standing, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid said after the shooting.

Cruz Delcid fled and discarded the firearm and his clothing in nearby woods before going to his girlfriend’s home. He surrendered to Fairfax County police the following day.

The case first went to trial in June 2025, but jurors could not reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared. Prosecutors then retried the case and secured the voluntary manslaughter conviction. Cruz Delcid had recently graduated from Mountain View Alternative School when the shooting occurred.

Under Virginia law, voluntary manslaughter is a Class 5 felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison. It involves an intentional killing without the malice required for murder and carries a lower sentencing range than second-degree murder, which is punishable by five to 40 years.