A 26-year-old Alexandria man was arrested earlier this month for brandishing a firearm and domestic assault and battery.
The suspect was arrested at his job, a restaurant on the waterfront in Old Town on August 3. He was released the next day on bond.
On August 1, the suspect’s wife called police and said she feared her husband was waiting at home for her with a gun. She told them that she had recently ended things with him and that he was looking for her.
The victim told police that on July 29 at around 11 p.m., that she was ready to go out and was wearing something “flashy” that her husband didn’t like.
“At this point, she stated that she was sitting on the bed when (the suspect) physically asaulted her by pulling her hair and slapping her with an open hand,” police reported in a search warrant affidavit. “She reported he then retrieved a blue book bag from inside the closet.”
Police continued, “She explained that (the suspect) pointed this handgun to her temple and threatened to kill her,” police said. “(The victim) stated she was in fear of her life, she then unclothed herself in order to protect her life.”
The victim reported that her husband then raped her.
The suspect was arrested at his work, which is a restaurant on the waterfront in Old Town. He denied all of the charges, but said that he did, in fact, own a 9 mm handgun.
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.”
A 30-year-old Alexandria woman was arrested last month and charged with making threats and domestic assault and battery against her roommate in the Landmark area.
The suspect was booked and released on July 14, and her court date is not yet publicly listed.
The victim showed police numerous threatening texts, including one reading “Plan your funeral”. Another showed a photo of a long rifle resting on the child seat of the suspect’s 2016 green Jeep Compass.
The suspect allegedly broke the door chain of the front door and attacked the victim.
“(The suspect) attacked (the victim) who was eventually able to pin (the suspect) to the ground and call 911 for assistance,” police said.
A search of the suspect’s car found a single empty bullet casing and more.
“The child seat that the long rifle was laying across in the picture (the suspect) sent to (the victim) to threaten her is currently present inside of (the suspect’s car) that is currently in Alexandria Police Department custody,” police said in the search warrant.
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.”
A D.C. man was booked into jail and released on bond for malicious wounding and domestic-related offenses after a harrowing incident against the mother of his children and her boyfriend in Old Town North.
Devin Denny, 31, was booked and released on bond on June 14, after allegedly breaking into the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority apartment at 905 N. Patrick Street on the evening of May 29.
The mother of Denny’s child was with her boyfriend when Denny and another male suspect, who has not been arrested, allegedly broke into the apartment and then kicked in the bedroom door. The victims told police that Denny then fished around his pants as if he had a firearm, but that the other suspect told him, “We are not here for that,” according to a search warrant affidavit.
The suspects then allegedly beat up the woman’s boyfriend, and the woman was then hit by blows as she tried to intervene. Denny then allegedly went into the kitchen and got a large knife, began swinging it at her and told her that he was going to stab her, according to police.
The woman told police that Denny swung the knife several times, but missed her, and then went back to punching her. She said that she was able to escape, but that both suspects then chased her around the hallways of her building.
Both victims escaped with scratches and bruises. Denny’s court date is June 29.
Courtesy Google Maps
Alexandria Police have executed an emergency custody order (ECO) for a West End man with a history of mental illness and violent behavior.
As of April 21, Cody Patrick Canniff was under evaluation at Inova Alexandria Hospital after throwing a “large tree” at an Alexandria Police officer outside his apartment building in the 300 block of Yoakum Parkway. The incident was the second mental health complaint against Canniff that day.
Canniff was arrested for brandishing a firearm against a family inside a 7-Eleven convenience store in 2012, and was also arrested for assault and battery against his then-wife in October 2016.
Four years later, on Dec. 26, 2020, Canniff was then taken into custody under an ECO after allegedly throwing machetes at people from his balcony, according to police. Several knives and a Smith and Wesson handgun were seized.
“Mr. Canniff stated that the devil had taken custody of his body,” Police said of the Dec. 26, 2020 incident.
Canniff was also taken into custody for an ECO in February for allegedly walking around his apartment complex and threatening residents with a machete.
“During the incident, he was mentally unstable and not making coherent statements and also attempted to jump out the window,” police said in a search warrant affidavit.
Also in February, Canniff’s girlfriend reported to police that he abducted and physically assaulted her multiple times.
Police conducted another search for weapons at his apartment after he was taken into custody on April 21, and said in the search warrant that it was necessary to do so “for his safety as well as the community’s.”
Alexandria’s City Hall has been lit purple in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Day on October 22.
The city’s Domestic Violence Program is also promoting the regional #PowerUpNOVA campaign, which asks locals to “consider their power as individuals and part of a larger community devoted to reducing and eliminating domestic and intimate partner violence,” according to the city.
City Hall was also lit up at the end of August in recognition of International Opioid Awareness Day.
Last year, there was a candlelight vigil at Market Square to honor the 22 people in Alexandria who have lost their lives to acts of domestic violence since the mid-2000s. The annual event is hosted by the city’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project, and is being put off this year because of the pandemic.
The city’s Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program is open, and hotlines are available 24/7 at 703-684-7273 [Sexual Assault Hotline] or 703-746-4911 [Domestic Violence Hotline]. Online support is also available with The National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.
The Commission for Women and Friends of the Commission for Women are lighting City Hall purple this week in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Day on Oct 22. Learn what you can do to reduce and eliminate domestic violence at https://t.co/0ohy9qk41R. #DVAM #PowerUpNOVA pic.twitter.com/fGDnqpft9f
— DCHS Alexandria, VA (@DCHS_AlexVA) October 20, 2020
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and all next month, the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services will light up City Hall (301 King Street) purple in honor of domestic violence victims.
“It’s really beautiful to see,” said City Hall engineer Matt Wise. “We lit up City Hall in purple at the end of August through September 1 to raise awareness of substance use disorders, and next month we’re going to honor and raise awareness for domestic violence victims.”
Last year, there was a candlelight vigil at Market Square to honor the 22 people in Alexandria who have lost their lives to acts of domestic violence since the mid-2000s. The annual event is hosted by the city’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project, and is being put off this year because of the pandemic.
“COVID-19 is having a dramatic effect on our daily lives,” states the city’s Domestic Violence Program. “During a crisis like this, the risk for intimate partner and domestic violence increases and may happen at higher rates. Survivors are also at an increased risk for violence and may need additional service.”
The city’s Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program is open, and hotlines are available 24/7 at 703-684-7273 [Sexual Assault Hotline] or 703-746-4911 [Domestic Violence Hotline]. Online support is also available with The National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.
City Hall was previously lit up at the end of August in recognition of International Opioid Awareness Day.
To raise awareness and understanding of addiction prevention and treatment on International Overdose Awareness Day,…
Posted by Department of Community & Human Services, City of Alexandria, VA on Sunday, August 30, 2020
A candlelight vigil and memorial service will be held outside of Market Square next week (301 King Street) to honor those who have died, or are still suffering from, acts of domestic violence.
The event, on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., is hosted by the City of Alexandria’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP) to raise awareness of the issue and its prevalence in the city. City officials such as Mayor Justin Wilson and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter will be present.
A visual memorial will depict 22 people in Alexandria who have lost their lives to acts of domestic violence since the mid-2000s. The vigil will begin with a private viewing for families affected by domestic violence, followed by a public program and reception.
“During the program, we will have a victim read a poem, and then light refreshments will be served,” said Barbara Sweeney, assistant residential coordinator for DVIP.
The vigil is being organized as part of Alexandria’s recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“On Thursday, Oct 24, City employees and the public are invited to wear or display purple to raise awareness about domestic violence,” the city’s website says. “Get involved, take a stand against domestic violence and express solidarity with survivors and their families.”
More from a press release:
The City of Alexandria’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP) will host a Silent Witness Candlelight Vigil and Memorial program on October 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in Market Square (301 King St.). This public event is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence and create a space of healing through a visual memorial, which will include life-sized silhouettes of those in Alexandria who have lost their lives to acts of domestic violence.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive or coercive behavior such as physical assault, verbal abuse, or threat of harm that is used by an individual to exert power or control over another, particularly in the context of a family or intimate relationship. Acts of domestic abuse can be perpetrated by a current or former spouse or partner as well as a parent, stepparent or other relative, and can occur in relationships such as dating between people who do not live together and persons in same-sex relationships.
In 1990, the Silent Witness Initiative began promotion and education to support an end to domestic violence through community-based exhibits. It started with a small group of volunteers in one state and grew into an international presence, with projects in all 50 states and in 23 countries. DVIP participates in Silent Witness Alexandria as one of many activities during the national observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The event will include a private viewing for affected families affected by domestic violence, followed by a public program and reception.
To learn more about the Silent Witness Initiative, or for more information about domestic violence and the Alexandria Domestic Violence Project, visit alexandriava.gov/DomesticViolence. If you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic violence, call 703.746.4911 to speak with someone about services offered. If someone is in immediate danger, always call or text 911.
Photo via City of Alexandria
