A former employee of Target, Bazen Berhe, 25, from Alexandria, Virginia, has been sentenced to 100 years in prison, with 30 years suspended, for the brutal murder of his colleague, Hernan Leiva, 58.
Berhe was convicted of first-degree murder for the violent attack that occurred in August 2021 at the Baileys Crossroads Target, where both men were employed.
Berhe had accused Leiva, a janitor at the store, of stealing his lunch from the office refrigerator. This alleged theft reportedly incensed Berhe, leading him to meticulously plan a deadly revenge over the following days.
According to a press release from Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano, Berhe purchased a hammer and a pair of knives after his shift at Target. He then spent the next day "training for murder." On April 17, Berhe lay in wait for Leiva in the Target employee parking lot. Upon Leiva's arrival, Berhe launched a savage attack, stabbing and bludgeoning him before fleeing the scene.
Berhe later returned to the crime scene and surrendered to the police officers investigating the incident. He immediately confessed to the murder of Leiva and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in October 2023.
During his sentencing, Berhe issued a chilling threat, vowing to kill or harm more people unless he received the maximum possible punishment. In response to this, Descano stated, "Mr. Leivas unnecessary and tragic death leaves behind a grieving family and community, one that will never be the same after such a senseless act of violence. In this case, because of the unique and self-proclaimed danger the defendant continues to pose to the community, todays sentence was a necessary outcome for maintaining public safety.
Leiva, originally from El Salvador, resided in Falls Church, Virginia, with his partner, Esperanza, and his two sons. His online obituary describes him as an "extraordinarily hard worker and prominent figure to his family," who was cherished for his sense of humor. His son, Jesse Leiva, paid tribute to his father in a GoFundMe campaign, describing him as an "exemplary figure and beacon of light in your moment of darkness."
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