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
Recent Stories
Francis Deonte Rose was found guilty today of two counts of aggravated murder in the 2022 shooting deaths of two construction workers in the West End. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office…
It’s been a busy week in Alexandria. There were multiple mayoral and city council forums and debates this week as the city gets closer and closer to the June 18…
The Cinco de Mayo fiesta is starting early this Sunday in Carlyle. From 9 to 10 a.m., Tequila & Taco (540 John Carlyle Street) will be selling six-ounce margaritas for…
After missing an important mayoral debate this week due to a “freak accident” while canvassing that led to his hospitalization, Steven Peterson says that he’s done sitting on the sidelines….
Good news, D.C. area. You can save money on your next home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids. It’s easy!
We offer a discount when you set up recurring cleans — and the discounts just increased this week!
For weekly cleans, get $30 off each cleaning.
Potomac Harmony is Back! Following a gap year of competing, then virtual rehearsals during the pandemic, followed by the well-earned retirement of our long-term director, a year of a director search, Potomac Harmony hit the regional contest stage in Concord, North Carolina in March for the first time since 2018! It was exhilarating, reaffirming, and rewarding!
The chorus hit all of its goals, the biggest of which was to have fun and sing our best on contest stage — we did both! Because we earned a score over 400 points, our new Director, Allison Lynskey, was awarded the Novice Director award, photo above. Additionally, one of our charter members, Jackie Bottash, was nominated for and honored with the Leadership Excellence award. It was a celebratory weekend!
What’s next? So much! We now look forward to upcoming performances, growing our membership, and expanding our musical product with new arrangements and an education component each week. It’s an exciting time to be part of this ever-growing ensemble!
Alexandria NAACP, Shiloh Baptist Church, DPC to hold City Council…
The Alexandria Branch of the NAACP, Shiloh Baptist Church, and The Departmental Progressive Club to hold the City Council Candidate Forum for ALL Candidates in the City of Alexandria Virginia. The event is Free of Charge and Open to The
