Woman shot in Del Ray convinced suspect to drive her to Alexandria Hospital

(Updated 7/14) More details have been released regarding last month’s shooting of a 30-year-old woman in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria.

The woman was severely injured when she was allegedly shot in the leg by the 45-year-old father of her child, who afterward drove her to Inova Alexandria Hospital and wheeled her into the emergency room in a wheelchair, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

“The wound to (the victim’s) leg is significant and medical personnel advised she may lose the limb as a result,” police said in the search warrant affidavit. The investigation started after APD was notified by the hospital.

The incident occurred on June 20 at around 2:15 p.m. inside a two-level house where the suspect, Jovan Saunders, lived in the 300 block of East Raymond Avenue. Police found blood trails near the front door of the home, as well as a spent shotgun cartridge and more blood and evidence inside the home, according to the search warrant affidavit.

The woman initially told police that she was shot attempting to buy narcotics in an alley next to the Braddock Road Metro Station, but later changed her story, according to the search warrant affidavit. On June 21, she told police that she met with the suspect at his home, got into an argument with him and that he allegedly pointed a shotgun barrel at her chest.

“At some point during this argument, Jovan Saunders produced a shotgun and pointed it at (the victim), who was inside the bathroom on the main level,” police said in the search warrant affidavit. “(The victim) stated she pushed the barrel of the shotgun away from her chest when Jovan Saunders then fired the weapon, striking (her) in the lower left leg.”

The victim then convinced the suspect to drive her to the hospital, police said in the search warrant affidavit.

Saunders was arrested in Prince George’s County and is being held without bond. He has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He remains in Maryland pending the outcome of a fugitive from justice trial on July 28.

The Alexandria Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program is available 24/7 to listen and help at 703-746-4911.

“If you are a neighbor and know that an abusive incident is occurring, call the police immediately,” the city said. “Calling the police is simply the most effective way to protect the victim and children from immediate harm.”

Map via Google Maps