Fairfax police warned VA attorney’s office about stabbing suspect months before killing: report

Police in Fairfax County warned state attorney Steve Descano’s office multiple times last year about a man now charged in the fatal stabbing of a Virginia woman at a bus stop, but the office still released him.

According to local WJLA 7 reporter Nick Minock, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request revealed that Fairfax County's policy department warned Descano’s office in November 2025 about Abdul Jalloh, the man now charged with murdering Stephanie Minter at a bus stop last week.

“According to emails I obtained, Fairfax County police didn't warn Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano's office once, but at least three times last year about a violent illegal immigrant who is now charged with murdering a Virginia mother,” Minock revealed. “And what did Descano's office do? Drop charges and let the man return to the community.”

Minock reported that a police major told Descano’s office last November, "Unfortunately, based on MTV Station’s numerous dealings with him, it is not a question of if, but rather when he will maliciously wound (or worse) again. My role of keeping the public safe, prompts me to follow up on his status.” 

In May, Fairfax County Police also told the prosecutor’s office, "This individual has a long history of stabbing community members and is currently on probation for doing that very thing. He has shown a blatant disregard for human life and is a danger to the community."

Jalloh was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Minter at a bus stop in February. After his arrest, he was revealed to have been an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone who entered the United States in 2012. He had previously been arrested more than 30 times on charges that included rape and identity theft at the time the stabbing occurred.