Virginia Mom Fatally Stabbed at Bus Stop by Illegal Immigrant With Over 30 Prior Arrests, Police Say

A 41-year-old mother from Fredericksburg, Texas, was fatally stabbed at a bus stop in Hybla Valley, Virginia, on February 23, an incident that has sent shockwaves through the community.

​Authorities say Abdul Jalloh, 32, a national of Sierra Leone, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Stephanie Minter. Investigators said the suspect has over 30 prior arrests on charges ranging from rape to assault and theft.

At around 7:16 p.m. on February 23, officers responded to a death investigation at Richmond Highway and Arlington Drive in Hybla Valley. Officers found Minter inside a bus stop shelter suffering from multiple stab wounds to her upper body.

​Officers immediately began life-saving measures until personnel from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue arrived. Minter was pronounced dead at the scene, and detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau took over the investigation.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, surveillance footage and witness interviews identified Jalloh as the last person seen with Minter. Investigators said the two exited a bus together at Richmond Highway and Arlington Drive shortly before the attack.

​Police released a photo of Jalloh from a security camera and warned the public he should be considered “dangerous” and to call authorities if they spot him.

​On February 24 at 4:01 p.m., officers responded to a suspicious person call in the 8600 block of Richmond Highway in Woodlawn. An employee recognized Jalloh and notified the police.

​Officers located him and connected him to a larceny reported earlier that day. He was arrested and taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was held without bond on a petit larceny charge.

​On February 25, detectives obtained a warrant charging Jalloh with second-degree murder in Minter’s death. He remains held without bond.

Detectives continue to conduct interviews, collect surveillance footage, and process evidence from the scene to determine the circumstances of the stabbing, according to sources.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Jalloh entered the United States illegally in 2012.

Officials said his criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for offences including rape, malicious wounding, assault, drug possession, identity theft, trespassing, larceny and weapons violations.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (​ICE) previously lodged a detainer against Jalloh in 2020. A judge later issued a final order of removal. He ruled that Jalloh could be removed to any country other than Sierra Leone.

​DHS said the case highlights the importance of third-country removals to ensure criminal illegal aliens are removed from the United States.

​“We are calling on Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger and Virginia’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this murderer and violent career criminal from their jail without notifying ICE,” Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said.

​“This illegal alien’s murder of an innocent, beautiful American woman came less than 24 hours before Governor Spanberger’s demonization of ICE law enforcement. This heinous criminal is a perfect example of why we need cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions and the importance of third-country removals for the safety of the American people, ” Bis added.

​Governor Spanberger signed an executive order stating local and state law enforcement are no longer required to cooperate with ICE, reversing a policy issued by former Governor Glenn Youngkin.

A motive has not been established and investigators have not said whether Jalloh and Minter knew one another, the New York Post reported.

​Minter is survived by her son, mother, three brothers, grandmother, and other relatives.