54-Year-Old Earl Miller Fatally Shot After Heated Altercation at Sonic Soft Car Wash in Woodbridge: Suspect Jermaine Antwoine Lewis Arrested Following Pursuit on I-95, Accomplice Vinisha Lanisa Neville Charged with Brandishing a Firearm
The community of Woodbridge, Virginia, is reeling from the tragic death of 54-year-old Earl Duwan Miller, who was fatally shot following a violent altercation at a local car wash on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight at the Sonic Soft Car Wash located at 14109 Richmond Highway, escalated from a verbal argument into a deadly confrontation, leaving Mr. Miller mortally wounded and sparking a swift police response that ended with the apprehension of the suspects along I-95 in Fairfax County.
It was a typical Saturday afternoon when the quiet hum of daily life along Richmond Highway was shattered by the sound of gunfire. At approximately 3:52 PM, officers from the Prince William County Police Department were dispatched to the Sonic Soft Car Wash after receiving multiple reports of a shooting. Upon arriving at the scene, first responders found Earl Miller lying on the ground, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The severity of his injuries necessitated immediate medical attention, and he was quickly transported to a nearby hospital. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and medical staff, Mr. Miller succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival at the hospital.
The initial investigation into the incident revealed that the deadly altercation began as a verbal dispute between Mr. Miller and 25-year-old Jermaine Antwoine Lewis, a resident of Springfield, Virginia. The exact cause of the argument remains unclear, but witnesses reported that the confrontation grew increasingly heated as the men exchanged words in the car wash parking lot. According to law enforcement, what began as a verbal exchange soon turned physical, escalating rapidly into a violent struggle between the two men.
During the altercation, tensions reached a boiling point when Mr. Lewis, in a moment of heightened aggression, brandished a firearm and fired a shot directly at Mr. Miller, striking him in the upper body. The shot proved to be fatal. As chaos erupted at the scene, a woman accompanying Mr. Lewis, later identified as 29-year-old Vinisha Lanisa Neville of Woodbridge, also brandished a firearm, further heightening the danger and panic among bystanders. While Ms. Neville did not fire her weapon, her actions contributed to the volatile situation.
Immediately following the shooting, Mr. Lewis and Ms. Neville fled the scene in a vehicle, leaving Mr. Miller gravely injured and causing widespread panic among those present at the car wash. Witnesses at the scene provided descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle to the authorities, sparking a rapid and coordinated response from multiple law enforcement agencies. Virginia State Police, in collaboration with local law enforcement, quickly issued an alert and began tracking the suspects as they attempted to flee the area via I-95, a major interstate highway running through northern Virginia.
The pursuit of Mr. Lewis and Ms. Neville came to a swift conclusion when Virginia State Police successfully intercepted their vehicle on I-95 in Fairfax County, just a short distance from where the shooting had occurred. The suspects were taken into custody without further incident, and both were transported to the Prince William County Adult Detention Center. The quick apprehension of the suspects was a testament to the efficient collaboration between Prince William County officers and state police, preventing what could have been an extended manhunt.
Once in custody, Mr. Lewis was charged with multiple felony offenses, including second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and shooting from an occupied vehicle. These charges reflect the severity of his actions, which led directly to the death of Earl Miller. Mr. Lewis is currently being held without bond, and his case will proceed through the Virginia judicial system, where he will face trial for his alleged crimes. If convicted, he could face significant prison time, potentially up to life in prison, given the gravity of the charges against him.
Ms. Neville, meanwhile, has been charged with brandishing a firearm, a serious offense in its own right, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While she did not fire her weapon, her involvement in the incident and her decision to brandish a firearm during a violent confrontation has raised concerns about her role in escalating the situation. As of this writing, her court date and bond information have not yet been released to the public.
The shooting has left the Woodbridge community in shock, particularly given the location of the incident. The Sonic Soft Car Wash, a popular local business situated along Richmond Highway, is frequented by families and individuals from the surrounding area, many of whom were present at the time of the altercation. Witnesses described a scene of confusion and terror as gunfire rang out, with several patrons fleeing in fear for their safety. While there were no additional injuries reported, the presence of bystanders and the public nature of the altercation have left many grappling with the traumatic event.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Prince William County Police Department launched a full-scale investigation into the incident. Crime scene investigators and forensic teams were deployed to the car wash to collect evidence, which included shell casings, witness statements, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses. A single bullet hole was found in the exterior wall of the car wash, a grim reminder of the violence that had unfolded just moments earlier. Detectives are now working to piece together the events that led to the deadly encounter, interviewing witnesses and reviewing all available evidence to ensure that justice is served for the victim and his family.
As news of Earl Miller’s death spread through the community, an outpouring of grief and support began to emerge. Mr. Miller, a 54-year-old father and resident of the area, was remembered by friends and family as a kind and hardworking man who cared deeply for his loved ones. His untimely death has left his family devastated, and they are now grappling with the sudden and senseless loss of a man who meant so much to them.
Community leaders and local organizations have expressed their condolences to the Miller family, and discussions have begun regarding how to prevent future incidents of gun violence in the area. While the exact motive for the argument that led to Mr. Miller’s death remains unclear, the tragic outcome has underscored the dangers of firearms in moments of conflict and the devastating impact that gun violence can have on individuals and communities alike.
The Prince William County Police Department has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the department’s online tip portal or by contacting detectives directly at 703-792-6500. Authorities are hopeful that additional witness statements or evidence may provide further insight into the events that transpired on that fateful afternoon.
As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, the family of Earl Miller is left to mourn the loss of a beloved father, friend, and community member. In the days and weeks ahead, they will undoubtedly seek justice for their loved one, while the community of Woodbridge comes to terms with the tragic events that claimed yet another life to gun violence.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of conflicts that escalate into violence. Earl Miller’s death is a tragedy that has left a lasting mark on all who knew him, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends as they seek peace and closure in the wake of his untimely passing. The legal proceedings against Jermaine Antwoine Lewis and Vinisha Lanisa Neville will be closely watched, as the community awaits justice for the man whose life was cut short on a Saturday afternoon at a local car wash.
