Ismael Cruz Delcid (Photo FCPD mugshot)
Ismael Cruz Delcid, 19, of Herndon, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the killing of a 14-year-old acquaintance in March 2024 and was convicted in the Fairfax County Courthouse on Oct. 20, 2025. Cruz-Delcid faces up to 10 years in prison at his Jan. 9, 2026, sentencing hearing.
According to a statement by Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney, Steve Descano, “Cruz Delcid, 20, of Herndon, was sitting in his car in a parking lot on Coppermine Road when he saw two teenage acquaintances, one of them MM, 14, and gestured them over. As MM approached the vehicle, Cruz Delcid put a loaded firearm in his waistband and exited his vehicle.” The conversation between the three escalated, and Cruz Delcid, separating himself from the two teens, fired three shots. Two struck the 14-year-old, MM, in the neck and chest, killing him.
A third round, aimed at the second victim, missed, police said.
“My heart breaks for the victim’s family,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano following the verdict. “His parents deserved the chance to see him graduate high school and pursue his dreams. He had his whole life ahead of him, and I hope that this conviction allows everyone who knew him to continue healing from this terrible loss.”
The teenager was a student "in good standing" at Westfield High School, according to Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid at the time of the shooting.
The voluntary manslaughter verdict in Virginia means the jury found the killing intentional, but it lacked the malice aforethought required for a murder conviction. The conviction is a class 5 felony. It carries the penalty of one to 10 years in prison, less than the five to 40 years faced for second-degree murder.
Following the shooting, Cruz Delcid fled the scene, disposing of the firearm and his clothing in nearby woods before going to his girlfriend’s residence. The search ended when Cruz Delcid turned himself in to Fairfax County Police the next day.
The case previously went to trial in June 2025 but resulted in a mistrial due to a hung jury, forcing the Commonwealth to retry it and secure the conviction last week. At the time of the incident, Cruz Delcid had recently graduated from Mountain View Alternative School.
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Stever Descano