Man pleads guilty in ‘07 massacre

Anastacio Miranda Sanchez pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree murder in a 2007 family massacre in Woodbridge.

In court, Sanchez admitted to killing 24-year-old Rosario Europa Martinez, 28-year-old Juan Manuel Rios and 25-year-old Gerardo Lopez Garcia on Dec. 9, 2007.

Sanchez also pleaded guilty to shooting two others — all as they slept following a toddler’s birthday party at the house the day before.

Sanchez’ estranged girlfriend, Judith Martinez, and the three children she had with Sanchez, were also in the house during the 8:30 a.m. shooting at 16613 Grandview Ave.,

Prince William County police Detective Ben Grantham testified in court Thursday.

Prosecutors said they believe Judith Martinez was the intended victim that morning, but her sister Rosario was one of those killed.

Grantham said Sanchez confessed to entering the unlocked house, going upstairs and shooting t Martinez in the chest with a Glock 26mm semi-automatic pistol.

According to testimony, Sanchez then told Juan Manuel Rios — who was in bed with Martinez —  that “you shouldn’t have gotten involved in my life. You knew this was coming,“ and shot him once as he tried to get out of bed.

After being shot, Juan Manuel Rios begged Sanchez to leave, but Sanchez shot him several more times and killed him too, Grantham said.

During the investigation, Sanchez told Grantham that Judith’s family was trying to get him out of her life by “drawing a line” between them.

Another victim, Gerardo Garcia was in a bedroom across the hall when he heard the shooting. He opened the door to find Sanchez with the gun.

Sanchez turned the pistol on Garcia and the two struggled for possession of the gun, Grantham said.

Garcia tried to shut the door and briefly caught Sanchez’ hand between the door and the door jamb, but Sanchez broke free, shot through the door, hit Garcia in the chest and killed him, Grantham said.

A surviving victim, Franco Cruz, heard the shooting as he slept in the basement. When he came up to investigate, he was shot in the shoulder.

Cruz feigned death and Sanchez left him lying in the hallway, according to testimony.

The fifth victim, Rafael Guevara Rios, was also shot once when he awoke and went to investigate the gunshots.

Despite being wounded, Guevara Rios took the empty pistol from Sanchez and Sanchez ran from the house, Grantham said.

Guevara Rios told police, after calling 911, that he knew the pistol was empty because the slide was locked in the back position.

Judith Martinez told police that she had seen the shooting and also identified Sanchez as the shooter, Grantham said.

She also told police that Sanchez would probably go to his sister’s house in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Police found him there five hours later, according to testimony.

In addition to the murder charges, Sanchez also pleaded guilty to two counts of malicious wounding.

Sanchez, who also goes by the name Anastacio Sanchez Miranda, faces two life sentences plus 58 years in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 5.

Commonwealth Attorney Paul Ebert said he did not seek the death penalty because the family didn’t ask for it.

“One of the reasons we seek the death penalty is for the solace of the victims,“ Ebert said.

Manassas Bureau Chief Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.