(Loudoun County Adult Detention Center)
An El Salvadoran man accused of killing a Virginia woman during a weekend carjacking was living in the United States illegally, according to immigration authorities.
Jose Aguilar-Martinez, 21, faces charges in connection with the fatal encounter on Sunday that resulted in the death of 54-year-old Melody Waldecker, a grandmother, as reported by FOX 5 DC.
Deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call around 11:30 a.m. and found Waldecker deceased at the scene. Investigators concluded that she was struck by her own vehicle as the suspected carjacker fled.
Aguilar-Martinez was apprehended approximately 45 minutes later. He was subsequently taken to a local hospital due to an unrelated medical condition, the news outlet noted.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informed Fox News that Aguilar-Martinez entered the US as a “gotaway” at an unknown date and location. ICE has issued a detainer request for him to be handed over to immigration authorities upon his release from local custody.
The case has raised concerns about the handling of immigration enforcement and the practices of so-called “sanctuary” cities and counties, which often ignore such detainer requests and release illegal immigrants accused of crimes back onto the streets.
Aguilar-Martinez’s illegal status and the nature of the crime have fueled debates over immigration policies and public safety. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by local and federal authorities in managing and enforcing immigration laws.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Melody Waldecker, a beloved grandmother whose life was tragically cut short. This case highlights the complex intersection of immigration enforcement, public safety, and community protection.
