Tarrick McGuire

Body camera footage of Alexandria police shooting homicide suspect released

Published June 24, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated June 24, 2026 at 2:46PM

Alexandria Police Department Chief Tarrick McGuire talks to reporters at APD headquarters about a May 18 fatal police shooting of a homicide suspect, June 24, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department today (Wednesday) released body camera footage from a fatal shooting of a homicide suspect in the city’s West End last month.

Police Chief Tarrick McGuire also publicly disclosed the names of the victim as 27-year-old Emily Ramirez and the suspect, her boyfriend, 38-year-old Hector Amaya. According to APD, Amaya allegedly shot Ramirez multiple times with a handgun before charging at police and being shot and killed by two APD officers. McGuire characterized the incident as a domestic violence situation and described Ramirez as a T.C. Williams High School graduate and beloved Alexandrian.

News

N. Va. public safety leaders reaffirm mutual aid in reducing crime at Alexandria summit

By James Cullum

Published June 18, 2026 at 3:55PM | Updated June 18, 2026 at 11:13PM

(Left to right) Moderator Simone de Alba, Alexandria Police Department Chief Tarrick McGuire and Robin Engle at APD's Public Safety Summit at Virginia Theological Seminary on June 18, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Public safety leaders and their counterparts from around the region reaffirmed a commitment to mutual aid today (Thursday) at the Alexandria Police Department’s Public Safety Summit.

The three-hour event was held at Virginia Theological Seminary, and attended by Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Sheriff Sean Casey, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter, City Manager Jim Parajon, Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez, Jr, as well as officials from Alexandria City Public Schools and other city departments. Speakers included Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn, Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham, and Stanley Meador, the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

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APD to focus on Alexandria’s crime hotspots in new safety plan

By James Cullum

Published June 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

Alexandria Police Department officers at the unveiling of the Holland Lane Restoration Project, May 28, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Tuesday night, Police Chief Tarrick McGuire unveiled blueprints for the creation of the Alexandria Police Department’s new public safety plan.

McGuire told City Council the plan will be developed over the next year, and it includes the deployment of officers to crime hotspots identified by the city’s crime data. He said the plan is organized around five pillars — geographical policing and accountability, building relationships in the community, evidence-based strategies and enforcement, assessing crime data and using technology to reduce and enforce crime.

News

PHOTOS: APD honors fallen officers for Alexandria Police Week

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2026 at 3:45PM

Alexandria Police Department officers at the fallen officers memorial wreath laying outside police headquarters, May 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department honored its fallen officers in an annual wreath laying ceremony today (May 6).

The wreath laying is part of Alexandria Police Week, which included a memorial church service this morning. There will also be a wreath-laying at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 7, at Waterfront Park in Old Town.

News

Alexandria police chief touts 30% overall crime reduction in 2025

By James Cullum

Published March 25, 2026 at 3:45PM

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire speaks after being sworn in at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Dec. 10, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire received praise from City Council Tuesday night for a 30% overall crime reduction in 2025.

In a presentation to City Council, McGuire said that violent crime went down an average of 29%, a difference of 111 offenses. Overall property crime was down by an average of 30%, a difference of more than 1,300 offenses.

News

Alexandria saw Part 1 crimes decrease 31% year-over-year in 2025

By James Cullum

Published February 24, 2026 at 9:15AM

Alexandria police drive down E. Reed Avenue in Alexandria, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Crimes against people in Alexandria went down 31% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the first year-round crime reduction in Alexandria since 2021.

Part 1 crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft. There were 3,400 Part 1 incidents in Alexandria in 2025 — a decrease of 31% over the 4,929 incidents reported in 2024, according to preliminary statistics released on the city’s crime dashboard.

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Baltimore woman arrested as two suspects flee from brazen Old Town yoga store theft

By James Cullum

Published December 19, 2025 at 1:15PM

Security footage captured three women stealing merchandise from the Alo Yoga store at 814 King Street in Old Town, Dec. 10, 2025 (via APD/Facebook)

A 33-year-old Baltimore woman was arrested earlier this month after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of apparel from a yoga apparel store in Old Town.

The suspect was captured on security camera footage with two suspects taking approximately $8,000 worth of merchandise out of Alo at 814 King Street on Dec. 10. The woman was arrested attempting to enter a getaway vehicle as two others suspects fled on foot and were not arrested, according to an Alexandria Police Department announcement yesterday (Thursday).

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Alexandria leaders show support for Jewish community after Hanukkah mass shooting

By James Cullum

Published December 16, 2025 at 11:45AM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at the menorah lighting at the Lyceum in Old Town, Dec. 16, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

During a community menorah lighting last night (Monday), Mayor Alyia Gaskins condemned Sunday’s deadly shooting on the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

Rabbi Mordechai Newman, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, hosted the organization’s 23rd annual menorah lighting yesterday at The Lyceum at 201 S. Washington Street.

News

Amid staffing issues, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire touts crime reduction in first year

By James Cullum

Published December 9, 2025 at 3:45PM

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been a long first year for Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire.

While the city has seen a double-digit reduction in reported crime to-date this year, the Alexandria Police Department is struggling with staffing and compensation. Ongoing staffing issues have prompted McGuire to transfer some officers from specialized units to staff patrol operations on the street.

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UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 10, 2025 at 2:59AM

Alexandria Police Department cruisers on Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.

With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.

Around Town

PHOTOS: Don’t miss ALXnow’s coverage of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 10:30AM

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Dec. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a day for a parade it was in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The wailing of bagpipes sailed through Alexandria’s historic streets as thousands of community members gathered to watch the 54th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.