Maria Teresa De la Cruz was an unarmed 29-year-old woman who was shot to death by Fairfax County Police plainclothes officers William H. Whildin, Robert K. Smith, and Charles J. Fitzgerald in Annandale on October 25, 1988.

De La Cruz was in the basement bedroom she shared with her husband, 52-year-old Dominican immigrant Inocencio De la Cruz, when the plainclothes officers, searching for murder suspect Ramon A. Bido, kicked in the door.

Inocencio, who spoke no English, reportedly pointed a .38 caliber pistol at the officers, who then shot both De la Cruz and his wife.

Inocencio De la Cruz was later found guilty of the misdemeanor charge of brandishing a firearm and fined $100.