The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said authorities arrested and charged an MS-13 gang member with murder after connecting him to a summertime shooting that left an area couple dead.

Sheriff Mike Chapman said Alexandria police arrested Marlyn Medrano-Ortiz, 18, on Wednesday after recognizing the suspect from bulletins put out by the LCSO in August.

The sheriff said Mr. Medrano-Ortiz is a known member of the Salvadoran gang MS-13 who is in the country illegally. Authorities have linked him to the Aug. 28 slayings of Mijal Conejero-Romera and Diego Alexander Woollett in Sterling.

Around 4:30 a.m. that morning, Conejero-Romera and Woollett, both 22, were shot dead in the 21000 block of Ridgetop Circle.

“We look forward to seeing justice served for the victims of this crime, and this arrest sends a strong message that violence in Loudoun will not be tolerated,” Sheriff Chapman said. “We will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you.”

Mr. Medrano-Ortiz is charged with second-degree murder and a felony gun offense.

He is due back in court in December.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.