Robert Reed - Marvin Waters Bus Stop Murder Case (Fairfax, 2025)
Robert Reed - Marvin Waters Bus Stop Murder Case (Fairfax, 2025) documents the June 2025 fatal stabbing of Marvin Waters at a Groveton bus stop in Fairfax County, Virginia, and the March 2026 decision by Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano's office to drop the second-degree murder charge against suspect Robert Andrew Reed, a repeat violent felon and convicted child sex offender who had been released from federal prison just one year earlier.
The Killing
On June 10, 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Fairfax County Police responded to Richmond Highway and North Kings Highway in Groveton after Marvin Waters, 32, an unhoused man, was found with multiple stab wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.[1]
Surveillance footage captured Reed chasing Waters from the scene. Additional video recorded Reed fleeing on a bus with what appeared to be blood on his hands and hoodie. When Reed was apprehended five days later, he was still wearing the same pants from the day of the murder.[2]
Robert Reed's Criminal History
Reed (DOB October 29, 1968) has an extensive history of violent offenses:[3]
- 1993 — Sentenced to 10 years in Maryland prison for rape
- While in Maryland prison, violently assaulted a prison guard
- Upon release, engaged in repeated child molestation and kidnapping, then threatened to kill witnesses
- Sentenced to federal prison for kidnapping, child sex abuse, and death threats
- June 2024 — Released from federal prison after serving 14 years
- June 2025 — Less than one year after release, allegedly killed Marvin Waters
- January 2026 — While in Fairfax County jail awaiting murder trial, violently beat another inmate (charged with unlawful wounding)
Evidence
Police assembled the following case:[2][1]
- Surveillance video of Reed chasing Waters from the scene
- Video of Reed fleeing on a bus with apparent blood on his hands and hoodie
- Reed apprehended five days later wearing the same pants
- Knife recovered from Reed's possession
- Reed found in possession of individually packaged cocaine and fentanyl
Charges Dropped
In March 2026, Descano's office filed a nolle prosequi motion to abandon the second-degree murder charge. Both parties agreed in court on Wednesday, March 5, with Reed representing himself pro se.[1]
Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Kelsey Gill stated:[2]
Gill said that forensic testing on the knife and other items belonging to Reed "were found to not contain any blood or other DNA evidence whatsoever." The office also cited uncooperative or missing witnesses.[2]
Law Enforcement Response
Steve Monahan, representative for the Fairfax County chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, pushed back:[2]
Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity called the recurring issues a "failure of our system" and urged more aggressive action against repeat violent offenders.[2]
Connection to Abdul Jalloh Case
The dismissal came one day after FOX 5 reported on internal emails showing that police had warned Descano's office against releasing a different suspect, Abdul Jalloh, following a probation violation. One email stated: "It is not a question of if… but rather when he will maliciously wound — or worse — again." Three months after Jalloh's release, he was charged with fatally stabbing 41-year-old Stephanie Minter at a Hybla Valley bus stop. Jalloh, a Sierra Leone national, had more than 30 prior charges including rape and malicious wounding, most of which had been dropped by prosecutors.[2][1]
Remaining Charges
Reed remains in custody facing:[1]
- Drug distribution charges (cocaine and fentanyl) — hearing scheduled March 19, 2026
- Unlawful wounding of a jail inmate — preliminary hearing April 8, 2026
The nolle prosequi allows prosecutors to re-file murder charges if new evidence emerges.[1]
Reed, representing himself, argued in court that his arrest was illegal and that the drugs would never have been discovered had he not been "falsely detained" for murder.[1]