Tarrick McGuire | ALXnow

PHOTOS: Thousands gather for Alexandria’s 276th Birthday Bash at Oronoco Bay

Published July 13, 2025 at 6:15AM | Updated July 14, 2025 at 10:29AM

The grand finale of Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria celebrated its 276th and the U.S.’s 249th birthday in style along the Potomac River at Oronoco Bay Park on Saturday (July 12).

Thousands attended the annual event. For about four hours, the park was turned into a maze of beach blankets, lawn chairs, and barefoot kids with lightsabers and bubble guns. Flanked onstage by City Council and city staff, Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Poet Laureate Maria Cristina Donoso made brief remarks before the program was turned over to the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, which wrapped up in time for a spectacular fireworks show (see video below).

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Police Chief Tarrick McGuire informs Cameron Station Civic Association of shooting at Ben Brenman Park

By James Cullum

Published April 25, 2025 at 2:30PM

Pedestrian Bridge at Ben Brenman Park (image via Google Maps)

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire sent a note to Cameron Station Civic Association residents after gunfire was reported Thursday morning (April 24) at Ben Brenman Park.

McGuire detailed the incident, and confirmed that multiple gunshots were reported in the 4800 block of Brenman Park Drive. No one was injured and no arrests have been made yet, and APD is asking the public for help in the investigation.

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Alexandria Police Chief discusses 100-day action plan, crime reduction strategy with ALXnow

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published April 9, 2025 at 10:00AM

Alexandria Police Department Chief Tarrick McGuire gives an update to City Council, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire is focusing on six “micro areas” throughout the city as part of a targeted approach to reducing crime.

McGuire, who just finished his first 100 days in office, spoke about his plans with ALXnow in an exclusive interview after his presentation to the City Council on Tuesday (April 8). The specific locations have not been revealed, except he said that they are well-known crime hotspots.

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JUST IN: Three teenagers charged with murdering Alexandria man and wounding two others

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2025 at 4:44PM

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire, with Assistant Police Chief Raul Pedroso, and Samuel Ward of the ATF, speaks at a press conference on Jan. 27, 2025, to announce arrests in the homicide that occurred in the 1200 block of Wythe Street in the Braddock neighborhood on Sept. 19, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Three teenagers have charged in the fatal shooting of Alexandria resident Kwakia Frazier and wounding two others, the Alexandria Police Department announced today.

A 16-year-old and two 17-year-old suspects have each been charged with murder by mob and two counts of malicious wounding by mob.

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Spike in larcenies drive increase in Alexandria crime rate for third year in a row

By James Cullum

Published January 15, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated January 15, 2025 at 9:10PM

Alexandria Police Department cruisers in the 300 block of Bruce Street in Arlandria after shots were reported, Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s crime stats for 2024 have been released, and the city’s Part 1 crime rate increased for the third consecutive year.

There was a 7% increase in Part 1 crimes, or crimes against people. Part 1 crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft. There were 4,733 Part 1 incidents in 2024, an increase of 7.3% over the 4,410 incidents reported in 2023, according to the city’s crime dashboard.

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Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Council sworn into office amid ‘backdrop of deep uncertainty’

By James Cullum

Published January 3, 2025 at 11:20AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, with her family, takes the oath of office, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and the new City Council were sworn into office on Thursday (Jan. 2), ushering in a new era of city governance with the new year.

Gaskins is the first Black woman to be elected mayor of the city. She stood alongside her husband and two children and took the oath of office from Clerk of the Court Greg Parks onstage at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center (4915 E. Campus Drive) at Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria campus.

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New Alexandria Police Chief hosting town hall in Arlandria

By James Cullum

Published December 27, 2024 at 11:30AM

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

Alexandria’s new Police Chief Tarrick McGuire will host a town hall meeting in Arlandria on Friday (Dec. 27).

The effort is part of McGuire’s 100-day action plan to get input from the community on “urgent matters that need immediate attention,” which will result in the Alexandria Police Department’s creation of a “change management roadmap to better align the agency and establish key priorities.”

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Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire sworn in and unveils ‘100 Day Action Plan’

By James Cullum

Published December 11, 2024 at 9:51AM | Updated December 11, 2024 at 10:11AM

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

Surrounded by city leaders, Alexandria’s new Police Chief Tarrick McGuire was sworn in on Tuesday (Dec. 10).

McGuire is the third permanent chief of the Alexandria Police Department in three years. The city’s Chief Circuit Court Judge Lisa Kemler swore him in onstage at the amphitheater of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Old Town.

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Mayor: Alexandria police are ‘easing a spike’ in crime

By James Cullum

Published December 3, 2024 at 8:30AM | Updated December 4, 2024 at 2:50PM

Alexandria Police Department cruisers in the 300 block of Bruce Street in Arlandria after shots were reported, Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

“Dogged investigatory work” from the Alexandria Police Department is “easing a spike in crime,” says Mayor Justin Wilson.

Alexandria has seen an 8% overall surge in crimes against people and property so far this year, according to Part I crime statistics recently released by the APD Crime Dashboard. As of Oct. 31, there have been 3,929 incidents this year, versus 3,647 for the same period last year.