Three men were shot while standing outside the El Catrin restaurant at 2930 Patrick Henry Drive in Falls Church, shortly before midnight Saturday, July 12. A man armed with two handguns approached the front door of the restaurant and fired several rounds, striking each of the three victims.
Preliminary investigation has determined that the suspect got into an argument with another man inside the restaurant and was escorted out by security. Within approximately 30 minutes, the suspect returned to the parking lot and allegedly shot the victims. The suspect then turned and fled in an unknown vehicle toward Arlington Boulevard. All three victims were transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital; one, a 52-year-old Arlington-man, sustained life-threatening injuries. A second victim is a 23-year-old, from the Falls Church-area. The third victim is a 25-year-old, whose address is unknown at this time.
The suspect in this case has been identified as Vitalino Gomez-Carreto, 23, of no fixed address. He is Hispanic, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. An arrest warrant has been obtained, charging Gomez-Carreto with malicious wounding.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.