Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire addressed preliminary facts surrounding the in-custody death of Alan Tucker II during a press conference Sunday evening, emphasizing that multiple independent investigations are underway.
Tucker, 32, of Woodbridge, died Friday evening after experiencing what McGuire described as a medical emergency in the sally port of the Alexandria jail following his arrest for public intoxication.
“Regardless of the circumstances, any loss of human life is tragic,” McGuire says. “Every life in our community matters, especially when it comes to protecting the sanctity of human life.”
The incident began on Friday at approximately 5:07 p.m. when Alexandria Police Department officers responded to 2875 N. Beauregard St. for an “unknown trouble” call. The Department of Emergency Communications received multiple 911 calls from residents reporting a man running up and down hallways, yelling, and possibly knocking on doors.
“Unknown trouble means an officer responding to a situation where the details are fully unclear but there is a public safety concern,” McGuire explains. “This can present unpredictable challenges to our officers when they arrive on scene.”
Officers encountered Tucker in the apartment building hallway, causing a disturbance. McGuire emphasizes that Tucker was not armed when officers arrived.
“Officers proceeded to de-escalate the situation in an effort to calm Mr. Tucker down,” the chief says. “Officers later decided to take Mr. Tucker into custody for public intoxication, where he was later transported to jail.”
During transport, Tucker’s behavior remained what McGuire characterizes as “excited.” The medical emergency occurred after Tucker arrived at the jail but before he reached intake, specifically in the sally port area.
“After arriving at the jail in the sally port, Mr. Tucker began to have what I believe was a medical emergency,” McGuire says. “Subject to that medical emergency, officers rendered aid to Mr. Tucker and then he was deceased.”
Officers called medical emergency personnel to assist during their life-saving efforts. The medical examiner will determine both the cause of death and the toxicology results for the case.
McGuire addresses questions about potential use of force, stating definitively: “As I’ve looked at this incident, preliminarily, there is no use of force associated with this incident. And I want to be very clear about that.”
Three separate investigations are examining different aspects of the incident. The regional Critical Incident Response Team, composed of investigators from surrounding police agencies, handles the criminal investigation component rather than Alexandria Police Department investigating internally.
“The Alexandria Police Department does not investigate these cases themselves,” McGuire explains. “There is a regional investigative team referred to as CIRT. That team is indicative of other surrounding police agencies within this region that will investigate the criminal component of this incident.”
The Alexandria Police Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducts a separate administrative investigation to identify any policy violations by officers involved.
Additionally, Alexandria’s independent police auditor, a position established years ago as part of the city’s social justice initiatives, provides third-party oversight of the incident.
“The police auditor immediately responded and is reviewing information and evidence as it relates to this case,” McGuire says. “That person is independent of the police department and serves as a third person that will be evaluating the information as it relates to this incident.”
The auditor reports directly to the mayor and city council, providing oversight separate from the police department structure.
Multiple forms of evidence require review as investigations proceed. Officers activated their body-worn cameras during the initial response, and the cameras remained active during transport to the jail. Additional camera systems in the sally port captured the medical emergency.
“We will continue to look at all facts in this case,” McGuire says. “That means we will be reviewing additional body-worn camera footage, any other type of camera footage, also reports that will have been taken, any other relevant information to outline timelines and facts as associated with this case.”
Tucker had connections to the apartment building where the initial disturbance occurred. While his press release listed Woodbridge as his residence, McGuire confirms Tucker had a family member living in the building where officers first encountered him.
“We do know that he did have a family member in this actual building,” the chief says. “It hasn’t been validated for me yet if he was living there full time or if he was visiting a family member.”
McGuire attempts to contact Tucker’s family personally before releasing additional information publicly, though he has been unsuccessful reaching them as of Sunday evening. Investigators completed death notification procedures with the family.
“I want to share any information with them kind of moving forward before I communicate it publicly,” McGuire explains. “Procedural justice is very important to me.”
The chief acknowledges the emotional toll on both the deceased’s family and the officers involved in the incident.
“There is a family that is grieving behind the loss of a loved one,” he says. “I also have officers that are distraught because if you think about it, when you’re trying to save someone’s life, you know, that is something that is not an everyday thing.”
McGuire emphasizes that facts may evolve as the investigation continues and additional evidence is reviewed. He plans to hold an updated press conference after briefing Tucker’s family, potentially including body-worn camera footage.
“I personally understand that there is public concern about this incident,” McGuire says. “I ask for your patience. Also, ask that we respect the fact family as we go through this process to ensure that this is a fair investigation.”
The chief stresses the methodical approach investigators are taking to ensure accuracy and completeness in determining what occurred during Tucker’s time in police custody.
