Arlington Man Arrested After String of Shootings in North Arlington

An Arlington, Virginia man is facing six criminal counts after a string of late-night gunfire rattled four separate locations across North Arlington, police said.

Arlington County Police arrested 39-year-old Eric Schaefer during a traffic stop on Saturday following the overnight shootings, WTOP reported.

Traffic Stop on Military Road

Law enforcement officials pulled over Schaefer at Military Road and 24th Street N., according to WTOP. Officers booked him on three charges of reckless handling of a firearm and three counts of discharging a firearm in a public place.

Residents near Military Road and 31st Street N. reported hearing gunshots, prompting a swift police response across the neighborhood.

Arlington shootings: Suspect arrested after gunfire reported at 4 separate locations

Responding officers fanned out and recovered physical evidence of gunfire at four distinct locations, according to WTOP. The sites spanned the 5500 block of 15th Street N., the 2400 block of N. Quebec Street, the 1100 block of N. Vermont Street, and the intersection of Military Road and 31st Street N.

An Ongoing Dispute

Investigators connected Schaefer to the four-night crime scenes through physical evidence and witness interviews, WTOP reported. Preliminary findings indicate the shootings stemmed from a conflict between Schaefer and a known individual, though authorities did not release the identity of the other party.

North arlington man arrested after gunfire hits four separate sites — Photo: hoodline.com

Police noted that no injuries were reported at any of the four locations. Investigators believe the gunfire was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the North Arlington community.

Under Virginia law, willfully discharging a firearm in public can carry severe penalties. According to Virginia Code § 18.2-280, firing a gun in a street or public gathering becomes a Class 6 felony if the conduct results in bodily injury. Hoodline.com noted that it remains unclear whether that specific statutory provision forms the basis of the charges Schaefer currently faces.

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Authorities have asked anyone with information or video footage related to the investigation to contact the Arlington County Police Department tip line at 703-228-4180 or via email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the department hotline at 1-866-411-8477.