Teen arrested after allegedly firing gel pellets from moving car in Old Town

Published November 24, 2025 at 12:30PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Police arrested a 17-year-old Alexandria resident on Friday after he allegedly fired a gel pellet gun from a moving vehicle in Old Town.

The Alexandria Police Department was notified around 12:45 a.m. Friday that a suspect was seen firing an air soft gun from inside a vehicle near the intersection of N. West and King Streets, according to radio dispatch reports. No injuries were reported.

APD charged the 17-year-old with driving without a license and brandishing a firearm after police apprehended three teenagers at the 800 block of N. Van Dorn Street. The teens were driving a dark-colored Nissan sedan, APD told ALXnow.

The 17-year-old was the only suspect charged. Police released the teens to their parents later that morning, according to APD.

About the Author

James Cullum

Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.