Fairfax County officials are facing heavy criticism after the suspect in a violent domestic dispute and an attack on a police officer turned out to be an illegal immigrant who was never prosecuted despite allegedly attacking his wife in April.
Officers responding to a domestic disturbance call attempted to arrest Nehemia Fuentes Banegas on Tuesday after he reportedly stabbed himself while threatening his wife. Fuentes Banegas then fled on foot, hid in a bush, and lunged for a police officer’s service weapon during an ambush.
Fuentes Banegas was shot by officers; the bullet grazed his shoulder. He is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
According to court records, Fuentes Banegas had previously been cited for reckless driving and driving without a license, with his race recorded as white.
The Department of Homeland Security states that Fuentes Banegas, a Honduran national, illegally entered the country in 2022.
