On Valentine’s Day 2018, the body of 17-year-old Matthew Ortega was found in the street at Jeb Stuart Square in Centreville, Virginia. A delivery driver on route discovered him in the early morning; emergency medical personnel pronounced Ortega dead at the scene. He was a junior at Centreville High School and lived in the neighborhood. An autopsy determined he died from a single gunshot wound to the upper body.

Fairfax County Police said they did not believe the killing was random. A GoFundMe for Ortega’s funeral expenses quickly exceeded its goal as the community reacted to the loss; the school’s principal described him as bright and engaging. On March 13, 2018, police arrested 18-year-old Uriel Josaphat Espinosa Cruz of Fairfax and charged him with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony; he was held without bond and had an ICE detainer placed on him.

If anyone in Centreville knew Matthew or saw activity in Jeb Stuart Square that February morning, please share information that could help the investigation.