Shots fired at cars in Manassas; 1 suspect arrested

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Manassas City police say one suspect has been arrested after shots were fired in a Manassas neighborhood, leading to an hours-long standoff at a townhouse after the shooting.

Police said officers were called to the 9600 block of Aspen Place at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday after two men were seen firing at a passing vehicle. Several vehicles were damaged and the suspects were seen running into a townhouse on that street afterwards.

Police believed there were military-style weapons and assault rifles inside the home and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called in.

The shooting and standoff led Manassas City to place three schools nearby on lockdown as a precaution.

"At the same time this was going on, an investigative team made up of the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force, the ATF, and the Manassas City Police developed some suspects and a suspect was arrested in Prince William County near Potomac Mills Mall," said Manassas City Police Chief Douglas Keen.

Police arrested 24-year-old Manuel Gonzalez at around 8:30 p.m. He has been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, shooting at an occupied vehicle and discharge of a firearm in public.

Keen said they are still searching for another suspect that was involved in the shooting.

On Thursday night, police said they conducted a search of the townhouse to recover evidence related to the shooting.