The mother of the child who brought a gun to Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy in Old Town last month has been arrested and charged with allowing access of firearms to children.
The child went to school (530 S. St. Asaph Street) on March 1 with the wrong backpack and discovered the handgun in the bag and reported it to their teacher.
Police deemed the incident accidental on the part of the student, and said that the student’s parents fully cooperated. After a “comprehensive investigation,” the child’s mother, 31-year-old Alexa Dickens, was arrested and charged, according to an APD press release.
Allowing access of firearms to children is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a up to a $2,500 fine. Dickens’ court date has not been released.
Update to Investigation: The mother of the Lyles-Crouch student was charged and arrested today. pic.twitter.com/CPmhSecKZ0
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 5, 2024
The Alexandria Police Department said in a release that a handgun was confiscated from a student at Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (530 S St Asaph Street) today.
According to the release:
Today at approximately 11:41 a.m., the Alexandria Police Department was notified by school officials at Lyles-Crouch School that a handgun was discovered in a student’s bookbag. APD officers responded to the school and took possession of the weapon.
Everyone remained safe and secure. The child’s parents were notified and were cooperative with police. At no time was there a threat. The investigation continues at this time.
In an email to staff and families, Principal Laura Burkart said the school is putting supports in place for students and staff to speak to counselors.
We understand that this information may be difficult to process for students, families and staff and we are committed to ensuring that everyone attending or visiting our schools feels safe and supported. To that end, our team at LCTA is working to put supports in place for our students and staff with the ACPS Department of Student Services and Equity and the Department of Human Resources.
News Release: APD officers confiscate handgun in Lyles-Crouch School. Everyone remained safe and secure and the child's parents were notified. pic.twitter.com/twsM1LOz24
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) March 1, 2024
The week was filled with trees blooming across the city during the peak for cherry blossoms.
Aside from picturesque scenes throughout Alexandria, there were some local stories that interested you all — from new pizza places to court updates in crime cases. And at the City Council’s meeting, Dominion Energy said it will invest millions of dollars in Alexandria to prevent future outages like the one at Art on the Avenue last year.
For anyone looking for something to do this evening or who wants to find a way to help Ukraine, locals organized a fundraiser to help refugees. The event is tonight (Friday) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the rooftop of 277 South Washington Street.
And, here are the top stories from the week:
- Three men indicted after bystander shot in neck at West End 7-Eleven parking lot
- Two juveniles arrested after shots fired in Arlandria
- Alexandria man indicted on first-degree murder charge in BJ’s killing
- Inova campus concept plans at former Landmark site filed with city
- Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana coming to Alexandria Commons Shopping Center
- Alexandria officials push back against ACPS ‘cover up’ story
- Suspect breaks into Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy through roof
- Alexandria police officer arrested, charged with domestic assault and battery
- West End murder suspect’s case to go before grand jury next month
- Alexandria hotel tailors stay to dogs as industry leans into pet-friendly accommodations
Have a great weekend Alexandria!
(Updated at 11:30 a.m. on March 22) Not much was taken in an overnight break-in at Lyle’s Crouch Traditional Academy earlier this month, although the suspect gained entry through the roof and no alarms went off.
On Wednesday morning, March 9, staff at the elementary school at 530 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town called police after finding classrooms vandalized. Parents were not notified of the incident since there is no threat to school safety.
“ACPS never sent a note,” a Lyles-Crouch parent said. “Our kids told us. We then asked other employees of the school and they told us.”
There was only one wireless mouse and a stuffed animal stolen, ACPS Safety & Security Services Director John Contreras, told ALXnow. Contreras would not say whether the school’s security system was functioning.
“We do not share information specific to the functionality of security systems so as not to impact the security posture at any school,” Contreras said.
There have been no arrests.
Photo via Facebook
