Man convicted for murder at Fairmont Gardens

Ezequiel Diaz-Mondragon, 21, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for killing Anthony “Tony” Benitez, 18, at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale on Feb. 19, 2021, Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced June 26.

Diaz-Mondragon was also convicted on one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Prosecutors showed at trial that the defendant and two others were members of a group that was driving through the Fairmont Gardens apartment complex looking for members of a rival group that they were having a “beef” with.

They encountered two teens, OM and Tony Benitez. As OM and Tony were walking away toward the parking lot, the defendant and his associates got within range, announced themselves, and began firing with multiple weapons, including a Glock and a Sig Sauer P320. The defendant aimed directly at Tony, who was hit in the back of the neck and killed.

“This was a heartless, purposeful decision to end someone’s life,” Descano said. “Tony was just spending time with a friend on a Friday night and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Related story: Man fatally shot at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale

“I am aghast at how random and premeditated this killing was,” Descano said. “The defendant set out that night to hunt down someone, anyone, who he deemed to be associated with a specific group. It is the kind of despicable crime that has no place in Fairfax County. I hope that today’s verdict allows Tony’s family to process this loss, knowing that his murderer has been held accountable.”

Diaz-Mondragon’s sentencing date is Nov. 21, 2025. He faces up to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge and a mandatory minimum of three years for the firearm charge.