A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of the Safeway at 299 S. Van Dorn Street and is in serious condition, according to Alexandria Police.
The incident was reported at 2:54 p.m. by police via Twitter, and involved multiple cars.
The Safeway is in the Van Dorn Plaza shopping center.
The last reported pedestrian fatality was in November in Old Town, and was preceded in February by incidents in the West End on Duke Street, near the King Street-Old Town Metro station and a fatality at the intersection of Duke Street and Cameron Station Blvd.
Notification:: The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a serious motor vehicle crash in the 200 block of S. Van Dorn St. involving multiple cars resulting in a pedestrian struck . One serious injury was reported. Expect police activity in the area.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) January 5, 2021
Map via Google Maps
After 35 years, Councilwoman Redella “Del” Pepper has announced that this will be her last year on the City Council.
Pepper said in an email to friends and supporters that she would not run for reelection, Alexandria Living Magazine first reported.
“There’s really not much to say,” Pepper told ALXnow. “There’s a time for everything, and I just felt this was my time. I have enjoyed every minute that I’ve served on the City Council.”
Pepper has represented the West End of Alexandria since 1985 and has over the last decade been a leading force behind the effort to redevelop Landmark Mall.
The City Council election is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2021, after a citywide primary on June 8.
“It’s been quite a run,” Pepper said. “I love it and I’m going to work hard for the rest of the year.”
The man wanted in connection to a series of shootings in North Old Town early Monday morning is now in custody.
Virginia State Police say Mitchell D. Thompson, a 26-year-old Alexandria resident, turned himself in.
“He is in police custody and being processed on the felony warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,” said VSP spokeswoman Corinne Geller. “Additional charges are pending, as the investigation remains ongoing at this time.”
State police released additional information Monday night about incidents that led authorities to urge residents to lock themselves in their homes and eventually resulted in a shootout in which one suspect died.
The series of events started with an armed robbery at the Holiday Inn on First Street around 5 a.m. Almost an hour later, two suspects, including Thompson, were spotted, ran from police, and engaged in a shootout during which an officer was shot, VSP said. Just before 6:30 a.m., following a K9 search, one of the suspects was located and a second shootout between the suspect and police ensued, after which the suspect was found dead.
More from a state police press release:
The incident began Monday at approximately 5:01 a.m. when the Alexandria Police Department received a 911 call for shots being fired at a hotel in the 600 block of First Street in Old Town Alexandria. As officers were responding to the scene, two individuals involved in the shooting had fled the hotel on foot. A perimeter was immediately established and search efforts were underway. Further investigation at the hotel determined that an armed robbery had taken place inside the hotel. No one inside the hotel was injured.
At approximately 5:50 a.m., an Alexandria Police Officer located two suspects – one of them Thompson – and a foot pursuit was initiated. When the officer and the two adult males reached the intersection of North Royal Street and Second Street, the officer and one of the two suspects exchanged fire. The officer was shot and both suspects fled the scene again on foot. The officer has been treated and released for non-life threatening injuries sustained in the shooting.
The search perimeter was expanded and police K9 teams located, at approximately 6:24 a.m., one of the suspects near the intersection of Montgomery Street and North Fairfax Street. As Alexandria police officers engaged with the adult male suspect, shots were fired by both the suspect and officers on scene. The male suspect died at the scene. A stolen firearm was recovered in the male suspect’s possession. No law enforcement at this location were injured.
The man’s remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for examination and autopsy. Next of kin notification is still pending.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time into all three incidents by state police, with the assistance of the Alexandria Police Department and the ATF.
(Updated at 11:10 p.m.) At least three Alexandria Police officers are on routine administrative leave after a shootout that left one suspect dead near the intersection of N. Fairfax and Montgomery Streets.
At 5 a.m., police responded to a call for shots fired inside the Holiday Inn & Suites (625 First Street) in north Old Town, according to police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine. Once at the scene, police were told by witnesses that a robbery occurred in the lobby of the hotel and that multiple shots were fired.
Police established a perimeter and located a possible suspect and a chase ensued on foot, Ballantine said. The suspect allegedly shot an officer in the lower body at N. Royal and 2nd Street. The officer sustained a non-life threatening wound and has since been released from the hospital.
The male suspect then ran to the area of N. Fairfax and Montgomery Streets and more gunfire was exchanged.
“Officers shot toward the suspect and the suspect shot toward the officers,” Ballantine said. “The suspect was found deceased in the bushes when the sun came up.”
Ballantine did not confirm whether police shot the suspect.
Heavily-armed officers could still be seen searching the area after the suspect was found dead.
“Alexandria police officers and K9s, including some with tactical gear, are walking through North Old Town to search for additional evidence as part of the ongoing investigation into this morning’s shootings,” according to police. “The public should not be alarmed at this police activity, but please avoid the area today if possible.”
This afternoon, Virginia State Police identified a 26-year-old Alexandria man, Michael David Thompson, as a person of interest in the shootings. He has since turned himself in, state police announced Monday night.
VSP provided additional information about the investigation:
The Virginia State Police, at the request of the City of Alexandria Police Chief, is investigating a series of shooting incidents that occurred Monday morning (Oct. 26, 2020). State and local police are still working to locate Mitchell D. Thompson, 26, of Alexandria, Va. He is now wanted on one felony count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and is believed to be currently armed. The public is encouraged to call the Virginia State Police at 703-803-0026 or email at [email protected] with any information related to his whereabouts. Thompson is a white male with brown eyes and long, brown hair he was last seen wearing in a “man-bun.” He is 6’8 in height and weighs 245 lbs.
The incident began Monday at approximately 5:01 a.m. when the Alexandria Police Department received a 911 call for shots being fired at a hotel in the 600 block of First Street in Old Town Alexandria. As officers were responding to the scene, two individuals involved in the shooting had fled the hotel on foot. A perimeter was immediately established and search efforts were underway. Further investigation at the hotel determined that an armed robbery had taken place inside the hotel. No one inside the hotel was injured.
At approximately 5:50 a.m., an Alexandria Police Officer located two suspects – one of them Thompson – and a foot pursuit was initiated. When the officer and the two adult males reached the intersection of North Royal Street and Second Street, the officer and one of the two suspects exchanged fire. The officer was shot and both suspects fled the scene again on foot. The officer has been treated and released for non-life threatening injuries sustained in the shooting.
The search perimeter was expanded and police K9 teams located, at approximately 6:24 a.m., one of the suspects near the intersection of Montgomery Street and North Fairfax Street. As Alexandria police officers engaged with the adult male suspect, shots were fired by both the suspect and officers on scene. The male suspect died at the scene. A stolen firearm was recovered in the male suspect’s possession. No law enforcement at this location were injured.
The man’s remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for examination and autopsy. Next of kin notification is still pending.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time into all three incidents by state police, with the assistance of the Alexandria Police Department and the ATF.
Mayor Justin Wilson said that he appreciated APD’s quick response in finding the suspect, getting the word out to the public and protecting the public from harm.
“My concern right now is with our officer who was injured,” Wilson said. “I know the entire community joins me in wishing for a quick recovery for the officer and expressing our gratitude for their service to our community in a very dangerous situation this morning.”
During the incident, North Old Town was on lockdown as residents were urged to seek shelter while police searched for the suspects. Residents from Washington Street to the river were urged to stay indoors with the doors and windows locked until notified otherwise by police.
More from social media:
Officers and K9s, including some with tactical gear, are searching through North Old Town for additional evidence as part of the ongoing investigation into this morning's shootings. Do not be alarmed at this police activity, but please avoid the area today if possible.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) October 26, 2020
Armed officers still roaming streets of @AlexandriaVAGov after Officer shot & suspect found deceased. I’m told by @AlexandriaVAPD that there is a search for additional evidence. @fox5dc @VSPPIO assisting in investigation as it’s not known if #police return fire struck suspect. pic.twitter.com/TKr3D59izi
— Melanie Alnwick (@fox5melanie) October 26, 2020
A suspect in connection with two shootings in North Old Town has been located, and there is no current threat to public safety. The Alexandria Police Department appreciates the community's support and assistance this morning.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) October 26, 2020
If you are in the area noted by APD, please stay indoors and alert Police to anything suspicious. Further notification will occur as this situation is resolved.
Please keep the injured officer in your thoughts. They have our best wishes for a quick recovery. https://t.co/Cn6ZnD38Ii
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) October 26, 2020
James Cullum contributed to this story
Thousands of Alexandria residents are in the dark Friday night due to a massive power outage.
At 8 p.m., the utility company was reporting over 12,750 customers without power. As of 8:20 p.m., that number had gone down to 6,846.
More than 3,500 customers are also without power in parts of Arlington, across the Alexandria border.
The neighborhoods affected include Del Ray, Potomac Yard, and Fairlington. Some have reported the power flickering.
Power restoration is currently estimated between 10 p.m.-1 a.m., according to Dominion’s website. The cause of the outage is a malfunctioning circuit at a substation, according to a company spokeswoman.
Update at 9:35 p.m. — Alexandria police are reminding residents to treat dark traffic signals as a four-way stop.
“Dominion Power has reported a major power outage throughout the City of Alexandria,” APD said. “This outage has resulted in many intersections without power. Treat all intersections that are without power as a four way stop. Please stay alert and drive safely.”
Update at 9:15 p.m. — Power was briefly restored but is back off, according to a Dominion spokeswoman. A number of residents https://twitter.com/PeggyDomEnergy/status/1319808138497896448from around the city said on Twitter that they are still without power.
I’m sitting in the dark, so … no https://t.co/A3dVYLScMv
— Oriana Pawlyk (@Oriana0214) October 24, 2020
I have waited 10 months for a Wisconsin football game. Of course this is when the fates serve me intermittent power outages for three-plus hours.
— Drew Hansen (@Drubaru) October 24, 2020
Not really- it still keeps going in and out in Del Ray.
— Richard England (@REnglandDC) October 24, 2020
Nope – just went out for the 11th time https://t.co/YgiSTAuTxU
— dianeEITM (@dianeEITM) October 24, 2020
More via social media:
We’ve traced the Alexandria/Arlington outage to a circuit at a substation. That’s what’s causing the flickering. Our crews are on it and trying to get your power back ASAP! @justindotnet @AlexandriaVAGov @DominionEnergy
— Peggy Fox (@PeggyDomEnergy) October 24, 2020
There are widespread power outages in Alexandria and Arlington tonight. Dominion Energy is investigating the cause, and has provided an estimated restoration time of 1am. If your power is out, please report it at https://t.co/rjdvsX47E1
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) October 23, 2020
We have ~13K @DominionEnergy customers around the City experiencing intermittent outages due to circuit failures at a substation.
Please report the outage online or by phone at 866-366-4357.https://t.co/P7thQdZmld
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) October 23, 2020
Power keeps going out in Del Ray
— Andrew Beaujon (@abeaujon) October 23, 2020
A 39-year-old Arlington man has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for raping two lifeguards at gunpoint in Alexandria and Fairfax County.
Jesse Bjerke, a former nurse at Inova Alexandria Hospital, pleaded guilty last year to raping a lifeguard at a condominium complex swimming pool in the 200 block of Pickett Street on Labor Day weekend in 2016, as well as raping another woman in Fairfax County on August 1, 2014.
“The judgement shows an understanding for the violence and the pre-planning that went into these atrocious crimes,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter. “I think it will serve our community since he can’t be a predator on any other woman.”
Alexandria Police were able to locate Bjerke using genetic geneology.
“A DNA profile was developed from the sperm located within the victim, but a search revealed no match in law enforcement databases,” according to the city. “After traditional attempts to identify a suspect were unsuccessful and all leads had been exhausted, the Alexandria Police Department contracted with Parabon® Nanolabs to have the suspect’s DNA analyzed using genetic genealogy. Parabon® investigators used a public access site called GEDmatch to search for relatives of the suspect. Using the list of relatives and the strength of the relationship, Parabon® was able to suggest one suspect for further investigation: Jesse Bjerke, the defendant.”
As part of a plea agreement to avoid the death penalty, Bjerke admitted to raping a lifeguard in Fairfax in 2014, and both cases were tried simultaneously.
“When he is 65, he can apply for geriatric release,” Porter said. “But with my experience with violent crime that’s unlikely.”
Porter congratulated the police on finding the suspect.
“The police department really should be praised and did an outstanding job in corroborating that we have the right man,” he said. “And, of course, that led to a very solid case from an evidence standpoint, which in turn led to him taking responsibility for his crime.”
A description from the city of the 2016 incident is below the jump.
Update at 11 a.m. — Police arrested a 32-year-old suspect who barricaded herself into her one-bedroom apartment in the Notch 8 apartments in Potomac Yard, at around 3 a.m. after she fell asleep, according to Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine.
“During the overnight hours the suspect was taken into custody after she appeared to fall asleep,” Ballantine told ALXnow.
The Fairfax County Police special operations unit took over for the night shift and made the arrest, Ballantine said. He added that the suspect was not physically injured, has not been charged with a crime and was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated.
The suspect, who allegedly fired shots at police twice, was confirmed as a resident of the apartment and was found to be alone when she was arrested, Ballantine said. Her identity has not yet been released.
Final Barricade Update (6:00AM) :: The incident has been resolved. The subject was into custody without further incident. All road closures have been reopened to include the Giant Food Store. Residents will receive communication from leasing office for reentry instructions.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) June 6, 2020
Update at 12:00 a.m. — Alexandria police have breached the door of an apartment where a woman has barricaded herself in, although no contact with the woman has been initiated, according to police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine.
The woman, who has allegedly fired a weapon three times since police responded to a domestic violence call for service in the area, is apparently alone, Ballantine said, and is not responding to police.
“We have not been in the apartment,” Ballantine told residents at a nearby apartment building who were sheltering in place. ” If we did it was only to unlock it and then that’s as far as we got. It’s a very fluid situation and very dangerous. And we’re trying to get as many people not in there as possible.”
Barricade Update (7:39PM) :: Residents may have heard a loud bang. This was when the subjects door was breached. This is still an ongoing scene. Residents aren’t allowed back in the building at this time. Updates to follow.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) June 5, 2020
Ballantine added that an explosion outside of the apartment building earlier today was a controlled detonation of a police flash grenade. An officer pulled the pin on one while inside the apartment building, and it was later detonated outside.
“They didn’t use it so they had to come out and dispose of it,” Ballantine told ALXnow. “They did it outside and it was a controlled disposal of it.”
The woman also allegedly fired a single shot on Friday afternoon — but not at police, Ballantine said. This morning, Alexandria police were fired upon this morning after knocking on her door, and then again at the special operations team. The identity of the woman has not yet been released, and the city’s hostage negotiation team has been trying to reach out to her all day, Ballantine said.
Ballantine said that the department will continue updating the public on its Twitter page.
Update at 2:35 p.m. — A hostage negotiation team is trying to communicate with an armed woman who allegedly fired several shots at police and is in her fourth-floor apartment in the 2900 block of Main Line Boulevard in the Potomac Yard area, according to police.
Police responded to a domestic violence service call at 9:23 a.m. after a neighbor reported a man and a woman arguing, according to Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine. When two police officers knocked on the door of the apartment, they were fired on and retreated, then called for backup.
Ballantine said that the Special Operations Team then knocked on the door and more shots were fired “in all directions.”
Earlier: A woman has barricaded herself in an apartment in the 2900 block of Main Line Boulevard and fired gunshots at police
The barricade situation is at the Notch 8 apartments, and residents have been evacuated. Residents told ALXnow that they heard “an explosion” and multiple shots fired on the fourth floor of the apartment building.
A video sent anonymously to ALXnow showed police outside the building setting off a device that could have been responsible for the explosion residents heard.
The Target at Potomac Yard (3101 Richmond Highway) near the building is closed
The situation is currently stable, as police are attempting to contact the woman.
“At this point, an unknown person has barricaded themselves in and they are shooting at police,” Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine told ALXnow. “This is an active incident.”
Police have warned residents to avoid the area. Firefighters and paramedics are staging in the area as a precaution.
The apartment is above the Giant grocery store, near Route 1.
Road closure update: the 2600-3000 block of Main Line Blvd closed. Seaton Avenue and E. Glebe Road from Richmond Hwy to Potomac Yard closed.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) June 5, 2020
Cops came to escort @mydisposition and I out of our unit. Confirmed active shooter situation in the apartment above us. They asked if we had bullet holes in our ceiling or walls. @AlexandriaNow
— Garrison Hayes (@garrison_hayes) June 5, 2020
Jay Westcott contributed to this story
Map via Google Maps / Staff photo by Jay Westcott
The Alexandria Health Department is investigating three new positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the city announced in an update on Tuesday night.
There are now five confirmed cases in the city at this time. The first was identified on March 11 and the second on March 15.
According to the city, “One patient was tested in New York but provided a residence address in Alexandria; another recently traveled internationally; and another came in close contact with a confirmed case in Washington, D.C. Any patient who tests positive for COVID-19 is notified and asked to self-isolate.”
The city said investigators will find out who the individuals had close contact with, and will ask them to self-quarantine and to monitor their health.
The City Council will conduct an emergency meeting at City Hall on Wednesday to discuss the coronavirus response efforts. The meeting will take place at 8 p.m. in the City Council Chamber on the 2nd floor of City Hall (301 King St.), and will be preceded by a budget work session at 7 p.m.
Council declared a state of emergency, and Mayor Justin Wilson said that a number of actions would follow. On Tuesday, Wilson sent a number of COVID-19 response and recovery initiatives to the city manager’s office and wrote that “over $100 million of annual City revenue is at risk (Dining Tax, Transient Lodging Tax, Business License Tax and Sales Tax).”
City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates: New State Orders; Additional Cases; Food Safety; Metro and Parking; Curbside Collection; Recreation; City Council Meeting: https://t.co/bsZDDo2LSY pic.twitter.com/76BrP4qOt1
— AlexandriaVAGov (@AlexandriaVAGov) March 18, 2020
The city also made the following changes to parking regulations and curbside trash collection:
- Parking – Effective immediately, the City will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions for residential street sweeping and for the prohibition on vehicles parking on the street for more than 72 hours. All other posted parking restrictions, including residential permit time limits and parking meters, remain in effect. Residents may continue to apply for guest parking permits online. The City will also begin working in commercial corridors to establish temporary curbside loading and pickup to assist with an increase in pickup and delivery services.
- Trash and Recycling –  To protect the health and safety of collection teams, residents should make sure all trash and recycling placed curbside is either contained within a can or cart, or in a tied or sealed plastic bag. Loose trash set out curbside for collection will not be collected.
- Yard Waste – The City is suspending yard waste, bulk material, and metal curbside collection, effective immediately, for a period of at least two weeks. This change allows crews to continue to prioritize and safely collect residential refuse and recycling. Residents are encouraged to compost yard waste at home or wait to place it curbside until service returns to normal. Smaller amounts of yard waste may be collected with trash, but residents should expect larger volumes to be left uncollected.
An adult woman is dead after falling off the Seminary Road overpass to Van Dorn Street in the city’s West End, according to Alexandria Police.
Police were notified that the woman fell off the overpass, which does not have a sidewalk, at around 5:15 p.m. She was declared dead at the hospital and her identity has not yet been released.
“It is unknown if this was accidental or if this was intentional,” Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine told ALXnow.
The incident shut down the area of Van Dorn Street and Kenmore Avenue.
NOTIFICATION: Van Dorn Street between Kenmore Avenue (North Seminary Road) and Kenmore Avenue (South Seminary Road) is closed due to a personal injury investigation. Please avoid the area and expect police on scene.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) March 17, 2020
Image via Google Maps
Virginia State Police have arrested a Danville teen and charged him with obstruction of justice and as an accessory after the fact in the deaths of two people, including an Alexandria resident. last month in Southern Virginia.
The 17-year-old was arrested on Thursday, March 12, by officers with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office.
This is the second arrest in connection with the murder of Ntombo Joel Bianda, 21, of Alexandria, and Ayanna Munne Maertens Griffin, 19, of Germantown, Maryland. The couple were found shot dead near their crashed car on Feb. 8 along Route 58Â in Halifax County.
Mohamed A. Aly, an 18-year-old senior at T.C. Williams High School, was arrested at school last month and charged with committing the murders. The former varsity football player is currently being held in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Halifax.
The murders are being investigated by the Halifax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, FBI Richmond Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Danville Police Department.
The full press release from Virginia State Police is below.
As the investigation continues into February’s double homicide in Halifax County, a second individual now faces charges related to the case. On Thursday (March 12, 2020), the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office took a 17-year-old Danville, Va. male into custody. The juvenile has been charged in Halifax County with one count of obstruction of justice and one count of accessory after the fact.
The juvenile petitions are in relation to the Feb. 8, 2020 murders of two individuals on Route 58 in Halifax County near Melon Road. At 2:51 a.m., a silver 2009 Nissan Maxima was located in the median with Ntombo Joel Bianda, 21, of Alexandria, Va., and Ayanna Munne Maertens Griffin, 19, of Germantown, Md., found deceased and lying in the grass nearby. Both had suffered gunshot wounds.
On Feb. 13, 2020, state police arrested Mohamed A. Aly, 18, of Alexandria, Va., on two counts of first degree murder and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of felony. Aly is still being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Halifax, Va.
State police continues to work with the Halifax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, FBI Richmond Field Office, ATF, Danville Police Department, and several local law enforcement agencies on the homicide investigation.
As the investigation remains ongoing at this time, the Virginia State Police is still encouraging anyone with information about this incident or individuals involved to contact us at 434-352-7128 or #77 on a cell phone or to email [email protected]. Anonymous calls are welcome.
