Annandale man arrested for murder

A man was charged with second-degree murder for the death of a homeless man in Annandale on Aug. 4.

The medical examiner’s office contacted detectives on Aug. 12 about a suspicious death, the Fairfax County Police Department reports.

Police learned that Elmer Castro, 32, of no fixed address, had been brought to a local hospital by ambulance on Aug. 4. Castro was believed to be intoxicated and injured from a possible fall, but his health quickly declined, and he succumbed to his injuries eight days later.

Through their investigation, detectives learned Castro had been assaulted by Elmar Waldemar Xitumul Vasquez, 39, of Annandale, on Aug. 4. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue were called under the belief that Castro was intoxicated. They transported him by ambulance to a hospital. It was later determined that Castro’s injuries were the result of the assault.

On Sept. 5, officers from the Neighborhood Patrol Unit at the Mason Police Station located Vasquez and took him into custody. He is being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on no bond.

Detectives continue to conduct interviews to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal assault.