Death of Victim in Best Buy Assault Ruled a Homicide

Fairfax City Police said Tuesday the death of a man assaulted in the parking lot of a Best Buy has been ruled a homicide — the first homicide reported in Fairfax City since August 2008.

Librado Cena, 57, of Fairfax, allegedly assaulted the victim — now identified as  William Hays O'Brien, 63, of Fairfax City — April 16 outside the store on Main Street.

O'Brien was taken to a local hospital, where he died April 26.

READ: Best Buy Assault Victim Identified As William Hays O'Brien

O'Brien had a pre-existing condition, and it had been unclear whether his death was a result of that condition, or a result of the assault. But on Tuesday, the Office of the Medical Examiner said an autopsy had revealed O'Brien's death was the result of the assault.

Cena, who is released on bond as he awaits trial, was charged with aggravated malicious wounding following his initial arrest, police said. 

Fairfax City Police said the Criminal Investigations Division has notified the Commonwealth Attorney’s office of the Medical Examiner's findings, and the criminal investigation will continue.

A preliminary hearing is set for July 3, according to court records.

At press time, it was not clear what exactly prompted the assault. O'Brien called Fairfax City Police at 11:20 a.m. April 16 to say he had been walking from his car at the Best Buy on Main Street when another man walked up to him and assaulted him.

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