STERLING, VA — A 39-year-old man from Loudoun County will spend the next three decades behind bars after a judge called his actions “brutal” and “random” during a violent stabbing in a Sterling shopping center.
On October 9, Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge Stephen E. Sincavage sentenced William Joseph Addison to 55 years in prison, suspending 25 of those years, meaning Addison will serve 30 years in the Virginia Department of Corrections. He’ll also face five years of supervised probation once released.
The case stems from an incident that unfolded just before midnight on February 4, 2023, at a convenience store in the Town Center at Sterling.
According to court testimony, Addison was loitering in the store when another man walked in and started talking to the cashier. Addison believed the conversation was about him. The victim told Addison it wasn’t, but that didn’t stop him. Addison followed the man outside and stabbed him at least four times in the chest, including areas near the ribcage.
The victim managed to get into a vehicle, and his friend—who had been waiting in the car—immediately drove to a nearby nightclub, knowing sheriff’s deputies are usually stationed there on weekends. That decision likely saved his life.
Deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office responded quickly, applying pressure to stop the bleeding until paramedics arrived. Meanwhile, other deputies located and arrested Addison back at the convenience store.
The victim was rushed to Reston Hospital, where he underwent emergency trauma surgery. Doctors said he received blood transfusions nearly equal to his entire blood volume.
Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Anna Hammond and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Nono Fisher prosecuted the case. A jury convicted Addison in March on charges of Aggravated Malicious Wounding and Stabbing in the Commission of a Felony.
During the sentencing hearing, Hammond didn’t hold back:
“Mr. Addison cannot function in society. He is a danger to every person he encounters. For this reason, and the aggressiveness of the assault… the Commonwealth is requesting a life sentence.”
Judge Sincavage agreed with much of the prosecution’s assessment, pointing to “the sheer brutality,” “the randomness,” and “the lack of remorse” Addison showed during and after the attack.
In a statement after sentencing, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson credited deputies on the scene and a trauma surgeon with saving the victim’s life.
“Loudoun County is safer today because this violent criminal is off the streets,” Anderson said