Alexandria Police are working with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on investigating the steep uptick in gunfire incidents that have wounded city residents and terrorized communities.
There was a 49% increase in shots fired calls for service in 2020 over 2019. Over the weekend, APD released figures showing 57 incidents in 2020 versus the 37 incidents the previous year.
APD reported arresting 20 individuals, recovering 17 guns and other evidence connected to the 2020 incidents, in addition to executing 90 search warrants. November and September tied with 11 reported shots fired incidents last year, while the most peaceful months were December and February with two respective cases.
“We remain very concerned about the recent increase in firearm-related incidents in the City,” Mayor Justin Wilson told ALXnow. “Our Police Department is working aggressively to get the criminals and the weapons that are placing our community at risk off our streets. I’m pleased to see they have engaged our Federal partners to end these dangerous incidents.”
There have been two incidents of gunfire this month.
Police Chief Michael L. Brown will update City Council on the incidents at tomorrow’s (Tuesday) meeting.
“We are following every lead and working tirelessly to disrupt this criminal activity,” said Brown said in a statement. “We want to assure our community that this remains a top priority for the Police Department.”
Police mitigation efforts have included community meetings, asking the public for help and increasing their presence in the West End and Old Town North.
“To avoid jeopardizing the active investigations into these incidents, the Police Department cannot release additional details to the public at this time,” police reported.
Incidents include a barricade situation with a woman allegedly firing on police in Potomac Yard, a police shootout in Old Town North that led to the death of a suspect, and three murders.
Anyone who hears gunfire is asked to call Alexandria Police Sgt. William Taylor at 703-746-6271. Callers can remain anonymous.
Alexandria Police Department Actively Investigates Spike In “Shots Fired” Incidents In Final Quarter of 2020: https://t.co/HUuoLk4MAP
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) January 9, 2021
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