The Alexandria Police Department (APD) is asking for help from the public in locating the suspects behind last Saturday night shooting in Old Town.
Police said that two men were shot when motorcycle and dirt bike riders who previously rolled through Arlington gathered at around 8:15 p.m at the Speedway and Liberty stations on S. Patrick Street (Route 1) near Franklin Street.
“Victim #1, a 30-year-old male, was located near the National Harbor and transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound and is non-life threatening,” APD said in a release. “Victim #2, a 30-year-old male, was identified at a local hospital with a gunshot wound and is non-life threatening.”
No arrests have been made from this incident or from another Saturday shooting that left a man with life-threatening injuries in Arlandria. The Old Town and Arlandria incidents were not related, police said this week.
As with previous violent incidents, APD is asking the public for help. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact APD Detective B. Smith at 703-746-6159. Video, audio, or digital images relating to the shooting can also be uploaded anonymously.
The Alexandria Police Department (APD) said the two shootings on Saturday are believed to be unrelated.
Assistant Chief Easton McDonald said in a press conference this afternoon that the timing forced the police department to split its manpower.
McDonald said Alexandria was warned by Arlington County that a group of ATV riders were heading into the city and that police had units on standby in case of violence, but the first shooting caused those units to be redirected and they weren’t present when the second shooting occurred.
The first shooting occurred in Arlandria around 7:45. p.m. on the 3800 block of Florence Drive. While police resources were diverted to that shooting, another one took place at a gathering of motorcycle and ATV riders around 8:15 p.m. along S. Patrick Street in Old Town.
McDonald said by the time officers who were at the location of the second shooting returned from the scene of the first shooting, everyone had cleared out. Police said the evidence suggests there were multiple weapons involved in the second shooting.
There were two victims, both 30-year-old men, connected to the gas station shooting, McDonald said. Both victims allegedly fled the scene. McDonald said one was located near National Harbor and was taken to a hospital, the second was identified at a hospital.
McDonald said both incidents are under investigation and all victims are in stable condition.
There were no injuries, but also no arrests, after two shots fired incidents this past weekend around Alexandria.
The first was on the 4700 block of Kenmore Avenue, just across from Francis C. Hammond Middle School in the West End early Saturday morning.
Notification:: In response to a shots fired incident, there is a moderate police presence in the 4700 block of Kenmore Avenue. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident. APD is on the scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/OhmbCGyFRW
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) August 19, 2023
The second incident, just a day later, was further south on the 5500 block of Holmes Run Parkway, near the former Landmark Mall development.
Notification:: In response to shots fired incident in the 5500 block of Holmes Run Parkway, there is a moderate police presence. No injuries were reported in connection to this incident. APD is on the scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/JwFt9J13xE
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) August 20, 2023
Alexandria police spokesperson Marcel Bassett said, as of Tuesday, no arrest has been made in either incident.
“They are both still being investigated,” Bassett said, “but no arrests have been made as of yet.”
Image via Google Maps
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.
In his monthly newsletter, Wilson said the uptick in violence in Alexandria is disturbing.
“This spate of violence is a continuation of a disturbing uptick in violent crime that has been plaguing our City and our region,” Wilson wrote.
Last year, Part 1 crimes — the most serious crimes like homicides, rape, robbery and more — increased by 4.7%, primarily driven by upticks in robberies, larcenies and auto theft.
According to Wilson:
So far in 2023, our Part 1 crime trends are deeply concerning:
- Robberies are up 49%
- Burglaries are up 17%
- Stolen automobiles are up 69%
- Larcenies are up 21%
- Aggravated assaults are up 53%
Overall Part 1 crime has increased nearly 28% from this period last year.
While Alexandria remains a safe community, this cycle of violence must be ended to maintain our quality of life. That requires that we prevent crime where possible and ensure that those committing violence in our community face justice.
Wilson said there are multiple approaches to addressing the uptick in violent crime, including boosting police staffing and combatting attrition in the Alexandria Police Department. Alexndria gained 18 new police officers and 15 new sheriff’s deputies earlier this year, which Wilson said is one of the largest classes Alexandria’s put through the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in recent years, but the department has said last year that short-staffing has required it to reduce its community services.
According to Wilson, the city’s approach needs to include:
- Restoring Police Staffing/Reducing Attrition
- Expanding “upstream” investments (family supports, mental/behavioral health, housing, re-entry programs, etc) proven to reduce violence
- Expanding community policing
- Continue advocacy for new laws in Washington and Richmond to slow the flow of dangerous firearms into our community
“Coupled with new investments in preventative (upstream) investments, we can buck national and regional trends and reduce violence and property crimes in our City,” Wilson said.
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.
“We will end this cycle of violence in our community, but only with your support,” said Mayor Justin Wilson in an APD video posted on YouTube.
“Every day I hear from residents who are so concerned, frightened by this violence and how it is impacting our community, including those who are directly impacted by this violence,” he continued. “The Alexandria Police Department will have the resources they need to keep the community safe, but they need your support to help us do that.”
The incident is the fifth homicide of 2023 and was also the second shooting within a week in Alexandria.
“We need you as a community to help us identify and speak up,” City Manager Jim Parajon said in the video. “When you see something, say something. When you hear about something, you know about something. That’s the only way that we as a community are going to be able to solve this crisis together.”
The city’s gun-related crime skyrocketed 100% in 2022, with 152 gun-related incidents that year, versus 76 incidents in 2021.
To combat the emerging trend, police intend to add multiple mobile camera units to areas with high crime and pilot a “gunshot detection system” next year. The department is also sponsoring community cookouts and coffee meetups.
In the video, Police Chief Don Hayes said he hasn’t seen the city this violent in his 30 years as a resident.
“We are outraged at the senseless violence that is taking place in our city,” Hayes said, urging the community to come forward with helpful information. “We know that someone saw someone and they know something.”
Anyone with information on this incident can upload video, photo and audio files to an APD portal, contact Detective Michael Whelan at Michael.Whelan@alexandriava.
(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.
The victim in the 800 block of W Glebe Road afternoon shooting has died.
Alexandria Police have expanded the scene, closing traffic on W Glebe Road in both directions. pic.twitter.com/s4MkdLf7Lm
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) July 24, 2023
URGENT: APD requests the community’s help in locating this car which was used in today’s shooting. It is a silver Nissan Rogue with “Enterprise Car Sales” placard in the rear license plate holder.
Anyone who sees this vehicle or has info about the shooting, call 703-746-6711. pic.twitter.com/flIi3uJiwj— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) July 25, 2023
Alexandria Police Department officers said they heard multiple gunshots fired in the area of the scene on the 800 block of W. Glebe Road, according to scanner traffic from around 11:30 a.m. today (Monday).
The police department tweeted at the time that drivers can expect delays due to the significant police presence at the scene.
This is the second shooting under investigation in less than a week in Alexandria that sent a victim to the hospital with life threatening injuries and is part of a reported uptick in gun violence in the last two years.
There is a significant police presence in the 800 block of W Glebe Road while officers investigate a shooting. Drivers can expect intermittent delays. pic.twitter.com/I1eCUChVMK
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) July 24, 2023
James Cullum contributed to this report
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.
Multiple people witnessed the shooting, according to scanner traffic. A large police response shut down several roads in the area.
The victim was rushed to a local trauma center in critical condition. Alexandria police are seeking anyone else with information about the shooting, urging them to call 703-746-6225 with tips.
We had a serious shooting incident this afternoon in the 800 block of N. Henry.
This is a very active investigation. If you have ANY information or witnessed anything that might assist, please contact @AlexandriaVAPD https://t.co/4kCp4tE9zq
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) July 22, 2023
(Updated 7/14) More details have been released regarding last month’s shooting of a 30-year-old woman in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria.
The woman was severely injured when she was allegedly shot in the leg by the 45-year-old father of her child, who afterward drove her to Inova Alexandria Hospital and wheeled her into the emergency room in a wheelchair, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
“The wound to (the victim’s) leg is significant and medical personnel advised she may lose the limb as a result,” police said in the search warrant affidavit. The investigation started after APD was notified by the hospital.
The incident occurred on June 20 at around 2:15 p.m. inside a two-level house where the suspect, Jovan Saunders, lived in the 300 block of East Raymond Avenue. Police found blood trails near the front door of the home, as well as a spent shotgun cartridge and more blood and evidence inside the home, according to the search warrant affidavit.
The woman initially told police that she was shot attempting to buy narcotics in an alley next to the Braddock Road Metro Station, but later changed her story, according to the search warrant affidavit. On June 21, she told police that she met with the suspect at his home, got into an argument with him and that he allegedly pointed a shotgun barrel at her chest.
“At some point during this argument, Jovan Saunders produced a shotgun and pointed it at (the victim), who was inside the bathroom on the main level,” police said in the search warrant affidavit. “(The victim) stated she pushed the barrel of the shotgun away from her chest when Jovan Saunders then fired the weapon, striking (her) in the lower left leg.”
The victim then convinced the suspect to drive her to the hospital, police said in the search warrant affidavit.
Saunders was arrested in Prince George’s County and is being held without bond. He has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He remains in Maryland pending the outcome of a fugitive from justice trial on July 28.
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.”
Map via Google Maps
The Alexandria Police Department (APD) said an Alexandria resident, Jovan Saunders, 45, was arrested today after allegedly shooting a 30-year-old woman.
The woman arrived at a hospital today with a gunshot wound to her lower body, police said. The wounds were non-life threatening, police said, and an investigation started after APD was notified by the hospital.
Police said the shooting occurred in the 300 block of East Raymond Avenue. According to APD:
APD officers arrested the suspect, Jovan Saunders, 45, a City of Alexandria resident, was arrested and charged with aggravated malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Matt Kramarik via phone at 703 746 6650, via email at [email protected], or on the non-emergency line at 703 746 4444. Tips can be made anonymously.
(Updated 4:20 p.m.) The two teens who allegedly shot each other on May 31 in the Seminary Valley neighborhood got into a fight earlier that day at Alexandria City High School, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
The teens allegedly shot each other at around 8:15 p.m. in a residential area near Interstate 395 and N. Van Dorn Street. The Alexandria Police Department received multiple calls reporting 15-20 gunshots in a residential area in the 5400 block of Richenbacher Avenue.
The teens, ages 16 and 17 were both shot in the lower body and were transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No charges have been filed against either teen and the incident remains under investigation, according to police.
An Instagram story was posted about an hour after the incident by an Alexandria City High School student described as “an involved party” in the search warrant affidavit.
One of the injured juveniles was captured on camera carrying a weapon and the other was arrested with a plastic bag with four firearm magazines, according to the search warrant affidavit.
“The Instagram story stated ‘dat glick jammed up only reason he livin,'” police said in the search warrant affidavit. “An Alexandria City High School student was identified as being the subject involved in an altercation with (the victim) at school the day of the shooting.”
One of the students who was shot is suspected for being involved in a shooting at the Bradlee Shopping Center on April 17, according to the search warrant affidavit.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a shooting there is a heavy police presence in the 5400 block of Richenbacher Avenue. Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries. APD is on the scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/g1x5yVSDeA
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) June 1, 2023
