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National Night Out returns tonight one week after multiple shootings

Published August 1, 2023 at 3:55PM

National Night Out 2023 (photo via Alexandria Police Department/Facebook)

Tonight is National Night Out — an event where Alexandria’s first responders interface with the communities. This year’s celebrations come after a rough week with the city rattled by multiple shootings, including one homicide.

“On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, The City of Alexandria will celebrate National Night Out (NNO), a day designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized, and working with law enforcement to help prevent crime,” the city said in a release.

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Alexandria Mayor says city needs to combat police attrition after recent shootings

By Vernon Miles

Published August 1, 2023 at 9:50AM

Saturday afternoon shooting in Braddock (photo via Alexandria Police Department)

After another pair of shootings last week, one that resulted in a death and one in a life-threatening injury, Mayor Justin Wilson said the multi-pronged response includes more police officers in Alexandria.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 28, 2023 at 3:30PM

The scene of a shooting on the 800 block of W. Glebe Road (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been a scorching week in Alexandria, punctuated by two major crime events.

Someone was shot multiple times in an alley several blocks east of the Braddock Metro station last Saturday, followed on Monday afternoon by the city’s fifth homicide this year — the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old man on W. Glebe Road in Arlandria.

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Notes: Arlington man arrested in Alexandria for shooting in Fairfax County

By ALXnow.com

Published July 28, 2023 at 8:55AM

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: On Friday, expect a mostly sunny and hot day with temperatures reaching near 100°F and heat index values as high as 107°F. There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, accompanied by a light west wind of 5-8 mph. In the evening, chances of precipitation will drop to 30%, with showers and thunderstorms mainly occurring before 8pm. The night will be partly cloudy with a low of around 76°F and a south wind around 7 mph.

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Goal! Alexandria Police and Sheriff’s Office join Latino kids to close summer soccer camp

By James Cullum

Published July 27, 2023 at 2:45PM

Participants of the Community Youth Empowerment Program's summer soccer program at AlexRenew's Limerick Field, July 26, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

More than a dozen Alexandria Sheriff’s deputies and police officers played soccer in the blazing heat with about 30 Latino kids yesterday.

It was the last day of the Capital Youth Empowerment Program‘s second annual summer soccer camp at AlexRenew’s Limerick Field. Every Wednesday since June 26, kids who can’t get to the field are picked up by van. Before they play soccer, the kids are given an hour’s worth of the El Camino sexual health program before being let loose on the luscious soccer field.

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Arlington man busted for allegedly selling stolen car to Alexandria man on Facebook Marketplace

By James Cullum

Published July 27, 2023 at 1:15PM | Updated July 27, 2023 at 3:53PM

Police car lights (file photo)

An Arlington man faces multiple charges after allegedly selling a stolen car to a man on Facebook Marketplace.

The 21-year-old suspect was arrested May 17 at Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Avenue), where he agreed to meet the victim to discuss the sale of a stolen 2006 Honda Civic for $2,800, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

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Alexandria police seeking SUV allegedly linked to Monday’s fatal shooting

By James Cullum

Published July 25, 2023 at 10:00AM | Updated July 25, 2023 at 10:54AM

Police say this car was used in Monday's homicide in Arlandria (via APD)

Police are asking for the community’s help to find an SUV allegedly used by a suspect in yesterday’s fatal shooting in Arlandria.

A 29-year-old Alexandria man named Eric Holmes Jr. was identified as the victim in Monday’s fatal drive-by shooting. Holmes was shot in a hail of gunfire around 11:30 a.m. in the 800 block of W. Glebe Road, according to scanner traffic.

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UPDATE: Police investigating fatal Arlandria shooting

By ALXnow.com

Published July 24, 2023 at 1:15PM | Updated July 24, 2023 at 11:12PM

The scene of a shooting on the 800 block of W. Glebe Road (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Update at 11:10 p.m.) A man who was hospitalized after a shooting in Arlandria has died, according to police.

Alexandria police identified the victim as 29-year-old Eric Holmes Jr. and asked the public for tips.

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NEW: One fighting for life after daytime shooting in Braddock alley

By ALXnow.com

Published July 22, 2023 at 5:00PM | Updated July 22, 2023 at 5:17PM

Saturday afternoon shooting in Braddock (photo courtesy Matt Blitz)

One person is fighting for his life after being shot in an alley, several blocks east of the Braddock Metro station.

The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m., in the alley along the 800 block of N. Henry Street. Initial reports suggest that the victim was shot multiple times, including in the head, by two suspects who were wearing hoodies and ski masks.

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Maryland man arrested for 1979 murder of Alexandria woman

By James Cullum

Published July 20, 2023 at 3:30PM

A Maryland man has been charged with the 1979 murder of Vickie Lynn Belk (via Charles County Sheriff's Office)

After more than 40 years as a cold case, charges were brought against a 63-year-old Maryland man for the rape and murder of a woman with strong ties to Alexandria.

Vickie Lynn Belk was 28 years old when she was found murdered in Charles County, Maryland, on August 29, 1979. The mother of a seven-year-old boy was raped and fatally shot and her case lingered for decades until last November, when a DNA match was made with 63-year-old Andre Taylor, who lived four miles from where Belk’s body was recovered at the time of her death.

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Man arrested after robbery at West End high rise

By James Cullum

Published July 19, 2023 at 1:15PM

There was a robbery in the 6000 block of Edsall Road on July 17, 2023 (via Google Maps)

A 28-year old Alexandria man suffered non-life threatening injuries after a robbery at a high rise apartment building in the West End early Monday night.

The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. in the 6000 block of Edsall Road. One suspect is in custody and the other remains at large. The suspect in custody lives in the apartment building and was positively identified by the victim, according to dispatch reports.