West End | ALXnow

Published June 2, 2026 at 3:45PM

Beeliner Diner at Best of the West in 2023 (via West End Business Association/Facebook)

The West End Business Association continues to look for ways to raise the visibility of West End businesses with its returning festival in a larger-than-ever format.

Best of the West will return for a third year from 12-6 p.m. Saturday, June 6 in Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive) in the Cameron Station neighborhood. The free event will have restaurants and other business vendors, community organization booths, a Port City Brewing Company beer garden, arts and crafts and a live music stage. Ben Brenman Drive will be closed for booths leading up to the park’s gazebo.

News

Arrest warrant issued for D.C. man after alleged sexual assault of woman near Holmes Run Trail

By James Cullum

Published June 2, 2026 at 9:15AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Alexandria Police Department has secured an arrest warrant for a 30-year-old D.C. man in connection to the sexual assault that allegedly occurred in broad daylight at a park near Holmes Run Trail on Tuesday, March 10.

On March 10, the victim reported to police that she was walking home along the trail near Tarleton Park when she saw a man sitting on a park bench. Around noon, the woman heard running footsteps behind her, and as she leaned over to adjust her shopping bags, “she felt hands on the side of her hips and her pants being pulled down,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

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UPDATED: Man injured in accidental shooting with no other injuries in Taylor Run

By Emily Leayman

Published May 28, 2026 at 3:40PM | Updated May 28, 2026 at 7:00PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

This story has been updated with additional details from APD.

The Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Fire Department responded to an apparent accidental shooting in a Taylor Run apartment this afternoon (May 28).

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Increased building heights, more housing areas considered in Duke Street Land Use Plan

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Traffic on Duke Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Increased building height allowances and new areas for housing and open space along Duke Street are among the changes Alexandria staff plan to propose in the updated Duke Street Land Use Plan.

Alexandria City Council received an update Tuesday (May 26) on the plan, which will guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. The proposal includes areas deemed “opportunity sites” in industrial areas that city staff wants to redevelop, adding more housing supply and open space, with building heights of up to 150 feet.

Around Town

Alexandria kicks off World Cup welcome with Croatian cultural celebration at Waterfront Park

By Emily Leayman

Published May 27, 2026 at 11:45AM

A bench at Waterfront Park in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria will celebrate the Croatian National Team’s use of the city as a home base during the World Cup with a welcome event next month.

The city will host “Flavors & Sounds of Croatia – Alexandria” from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) to celebrate Croatian heritage. The event is free to attend. The Croatian National Football Team will not be in attendance.

News

JUST IN: Jury finds Alexandria man guilty of manslaughter in West End shooting

By James Cullum

Published May 26, 2026 at 2:05PM | Updated May 26, 2026 at 2:33PM

The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

A jury has found Damontie Earl James guilty of voluntary manslaughter when he shot and killed his former roommate Kory Anding in an apartment in Alexandria’s West End.

James, 27, has been held without bond since his arrest following the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Kory Anding at James’ sister’s apartment at 3450 Berkeley Street on Oct. 25, 2025. Anding was the father of two children with James’ sister. James claimed he shot Anding in self-defense. James was also found guilty of unlawful shooting in an occupied building and not guilty of using a firearm in the commission of a murder.

Around Town

Alexandria launches passport program to boost support for Duke Street businesses

By Emily Leayman

Published May 22, 2026 at 2:45PM

Duke Street near Landmark and Cameron Run (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new “passport”-inspired promotion to generate support for Duke Street businesses has launched, the city announced Friday (May 22).

The program encouraging residents to shop local is a lighter side of the Duke Street Land Use Plan, a process updating the land use vision for the Duke Street corridor. Christian Brandt, an urban planner for the city, told ALXnow 19 businesses have signed up to participate in the Duke Street Business Passport Program, with more to be added. Businesses within a half-mile of Duke Street are eligible to join.

News

NEW: Alexandria man claims self-defense in fatal West End apartment shooting

By James Cullum

Published May 22, 2026 at 11:15AM | Updated May 22, 2026 at 5:26PM

A male was shot in an apartment at 3450 Berkeley Street on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This story has been updated to provide the latest timeline on the jury verdict.

A 27-year-old Alexandria man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his former roommate has pleaded not guilty and now awaits a jury’s verdict.

News

Alexandria man claims ‘wrong house’ after alleged break-in at co-worker’s relatives’ home

By James Cullum

Published May 21, 2026 at 1:45PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

An Alexandria man faces illegal entry and public intoxication charges after allegedly breaking into the Seminary Hill home of a co-worker’s relatives, rummaging around and stealing clothing, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

On April 9, the homeowners provided police with video surveillance showing the suspect entering the home in the 200 block of N. Quaker Lane, as well as audio of him allegedly opening kitchen cabinets, according to the affidavit. The suspect was arrested less than a mile away on a public intoxication charge, a Class 4 misdemeanor with a $250 fine. He was later charged with entering a property to damage, a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

News

Driver arrested after alleged road rage incident in West End parking lot

By James Cullum

Published May 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 27-year-old Alexandria man was arrested and charged with brandishing or pointing a firearm during what police are describing as a road rage incident in the West End.

Around 11:40 p.m. on Friday, April 24, the Alexandria Police Department responded to the Wendy’s restaurant at 229 S. Van Dorn Street to investigate a report of a brandished firearm, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. In the parking lot, the victim told police that the suspect — who was in a silver Toyota in the Wendy’s drive-thru when police arrived — had pointed a handgun at him while they were across the street in the parking lot of the Van Dorn Plaza.

News

More public input on Route 7 bus improvements sought as planning moves toward Alexandria

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 19, 2026 at 10:30AM

F20 Metrobus service runs from Tysons east to Alexandria (photo courtesy of NVTC)

As planning efforts move eastward toward Alexandria, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) has embarked on a new round of community engagement in its Envision Route 7 effort to upgrade transit options.

Both in-person and online opportunities will be available over the next month, focused on the eastern portions of what will become a 14-mile bus rapid transit (BRT) line running from Tysons to Alexandria’s Mark Center.