An investigation involving a stolen vehicle in Shenandoah County led to the discovery of what appears to be a double murder in Manassas.
Prince William calls
On Tuesday, April 2, at 12:45 a.m., Prince William County Police received two calls.
One was for a report of a man with a gun in the area of 8100 block of Porter Ridge Ln. in Manassas, said PWCPD. The other call was a 61-year-old man who reported he was carjacked in the 8100 block of Portwood Turn in Manassas.
PWCPD said when officers responded to the scene with the carjacking victim, he explained he had just parked his vehicle and was approached by a man with a gun who took his vehicle.
When police didn’t find the man’s vehicle in the area, they entered it into the national database and advised other jurisdictions in the area, said PWCPD.
Shenandoah call
In Shenandoah County, at around 2:56 a.m., police received a report of a suspicious man in Edinburg near Stoney Creek Rd. and I-81.
When SCSO responded, they learned the man in question had the stolen car from Prince William.
According to police, the stolen vehicle “became inoperable” near I-66 and I-81. The man walked to a convenience store, and that prompted the call to Shenandoah Sherriff’s Office.
During the investigation of that incident, “information was learned prompting concern and a welfare check” at Westgate Apartments and Townhomes in the 8100 block of Porters Ridge Ln., said PWCPD.
Dead women
Police arrived at the Westgate community around 5:12 a.m., and when they didn’t get a response, they forced their way into the residence.
PWCPD said there were two women with gunshots to the upper body. Both were dead.
They have been identified as Leann Renee Harris, age 34, and Asia Payne, age 22, Both were Manassas residents, PWCPD stated.
Charges
Edward James Jackson Bland, the 36-year-old Manassas man found in possession of the stolen vehicle, has been charged with public intoxication, driving suspended, possession of a stolen vehicle, and obstruction of justice/threats to law enforcement in Shenandoah.
Prince William has charged him with 2 counts of murder, carjacking, and 3 counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
PWCPD said he’s still in custody in Shenandoah County. Detectives are still working to determine what led up to the shooting.
Bland’s photo is not currently available, authorities said.
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