Family Frustrated by Lack of Police Info on the Death of Steve Cornejo

By Nicholas F. Benton

Family members of Jack Stephen "Steve" Cornejo are frustrated as they seek answers from Fairfax County Police about the shooting death of the popular 2000 graduate of George Mason High School in Falls Church and a captain of the school's 2000 state championship soccer team. They contend that the police have provided no information, filed no charges and as of Tuesday had not even allowed the family to see the body. They were especially upset by a comment attributed to Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Robert F. Horan Jr. in Tuesday's Washington Post that he was considering whether the alleged shooter "acted in self-defense."

Fairfax Police said as of yesterday the shooting incident is still "under investigation." A spokesman told the News-Press yesterday that no further information other than that contained in a brief press release released last Saturday is available.

Family members assembled at a candlelight vigil in the front yard of the home of Cornejo's grandparents on Crane Street in Falls Church Tuesday night decried the lack of communication and support from the police and reports that the assailant had been questioned and released and that the shooting was being considered possibly an act of self-defense. Police have not released the name of the assailant, described only as a short Caucasian male.

Cornejo, 22, was unarmed and was allegedly shot in the back by the unnamed person who, according to unofficial reports, left the party after an altercation to come back with a gun.

"How can it possibly be self defense when Steve was unarmed, and the other guy had a gun and shot him in the back?" a family member questioned.

According to Fairfax Police press statement from Saturday, "Detectives continue to question possible witnesses and examine evidence. An autopsy is anticipated early in the week and the results along with other evidence will be presented to the Commonwealth's Attorney as criminal charges are considered."

Fairfax Police Public Information Officer Beth Funston said yesterday that the contents of that five-day-old press release remain all the police will say on the case.

At a candlelight vigil Tuesday night, Cornejo's cousin, 1999 GMHS graduate Juan Cornejo, told the News-Press the family is seeking an attorney to get some answers.

A family spokesman told the News-Press that no one in the family had been allowed to see the body of Cornejo, while his assailant was questioned and released by Fairfax Police despite the fact there were no witnesses to the incident.

The spokesman further said that the family was told by the police "not to bother" to bring forth its own information, in spite of the fact that it might have identified a possible witness. A neighbor some at the party said opened his door to look out when the shooting occurred.

The incident took place around 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning at a birthday party of a friend of Cornejo's. Cornejo was leaving just as the assailant arrived. They got into an argument outside the apartment prior to the shooting.

According to the Fairfax Police statement, "Officers were called to 12205 Pender Creek Circle, in the Fair Oaks area, about 4:50 a.m., Saturday, June 25, 2005. Callers reported hearing a fight and possible gun shots. Officers found Jack S. Cornejo dead with an apparent gun shot wound. He was located in the apartment complex court yard where it is believed the shooting occurred."

The police statement continued, "Preliminary investigation has determined that an altercation between the victim and another person whom detectives have identified and questioned resulted in the shooting."

An aunt of Cornejo spoke to the three dozen family members and friends who assembled with lit candles in light rain on the Crane Street front yard Tuesday. She said that as much as she was hurt by her nephew's death, the fact that the "system" seemed to be working against the family hurt her even more.

She complained that police officials provided no information and have neither held nor brought any charges against the assailant despite the fact her nephew was unarmed and had his back to the weapon when it was fired. She was particularly upset by Horan's statement in Tuesday's Post that "he would consider whether the alleged shooter...acted in self-defense."

Cornejo was captain of the George Mason High School soccer team that won the Group A state championship in his senior year. His coach, Frank Spinello, said he "wan an excellent player and great leader," adding, "He often came back to GMHS and gave of his time to help the current teams." He was considered a happy, loyal friend as well as a mentor to his many cousins, nieces and nephews.

"I remember him for his leadership and his knack for making people laugh and feel at ease," Spinello told the News-Press, adding that Cornejo "was the first face I ever saw at George Mason," after he took the coaching job for the soccer team just prior to the launch of the 2000 championship season.

Cornejo, a forward, led the team to victory in the state championship game at Glen Var High School on June 12, 2000, just a week before graduation.

Cornejo was raised in Falls Church as an only son by his father, a local business owner, and his grandparents, aunts and uncles. Since his graduation from high school, he held a number of jobs with local retailers.

Coach Spinello reported that a fund has been started for his family to help cover funeral costs. Additional funds raised will be placed into a soccer scholarship fund in his name at George Mason High. Checks can be made to "The Jack Steven Cornejo Memorial Fund" and sent to GMHS at 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043.

Funeral arrangements were not known at press time, but were tentatively planned for the middle of next week.

Fairfax Police stated that anyone with information regarding the shooting should contact them at (703) 691-2131 or call the Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477.