West End | ALXnow

Maryland man held without bond after allegedly beating up ex-girlfriend in West End

Published November 24, 2021 at 10:45AM | Updated May 9, 2022 at 9:19AM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 5/9/22) A 38-year-old Maryland man is being held without bond after a violent argument against his ex-girlfriend in her West End apartment on November 2.

The incident occurred at around 12:30 p.m. in the 5400 block of Bradford Court. The victim told police that she was driving home and talking with the suspect on Facetime, but that he was already waiting for her in the parking lot to meet in person. They met and went inside the apartment, where the victim allegedly told the suspect that she was starting a romantic relationship with someone else, according to a search warrant affidavit.

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West End shooting suspect allegedly gloated about incident in texts

By James Cullum

Published November 19, 2021 at 1:15PM | Updated November 19, 2021 at 4:58PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 5 p.m.) A 26-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond after allegedly shooting a man in the head in the West End on September 21.

Cornell Bangura was arrested on October 5, driving a maroon-colored Volkswagen Passat.

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Alexandria looks to improve Van Dorn Street bridge and Holmes Run Trail crossing

By Vernon Miles

Published November 17, 2021 at 9:50AM

S. Van Dorn Street bridge (photo via Google Maps)

The city’s hopes to extend the Route 1 Metroway a few blocks north have been dashed by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), and now city staff is looking at other transportation projects (page 50) around town that could use state funding.

At a Transportation Commission meeting, city staff is proposing two alternative projects for NVTA funding: improvements to the Van Dorn Street bridge and replacement of a Holmes Run Trail bridge.

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New Montessori program headed to Landmark neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published November 16, 2021 at 2:45PM

Location of future Montessori School on S. Pickett Street (photo via Google Maps)

A Montessori program has filed a permit to open a new school in the city’s Landmark neighborhood.

National franchise Montessori Kids Universe is planning to open a “Montessori Kids Universe of Cameron Square”, currently under administrative review to open at 410 S. Pickett Street.

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Man arrested for strangling girlfriend in West End parking lot

By James Cullum

Published October 29, 2021 at 1:10PM | Updated October 29, 2021 at 9:35PM

Police car lights (file photo)

An 28-year-old Arlington man is being held without bond after allegedly strangling and physically assaulting his live-in girlfriend in the Van Dorn Plaza Shopping Mall parking lot.

Alexandria Police officers responded to Inova Fairfax Hospital on September 8, where they interviewed the victim, who had injuries to her face and arms, including “swelling to her forehead, nose, shoulders, forearms and left wrists… bruises to her left leg and swelling to the back of her head,” police said in a search warrant affidavit.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 22, 2021 at 5:00AM

Cortado Cafe opens in Alexandria’s West End — “A new coffee shop has opened in the Shoppes of Foxchase shopping center in Alexandria’s West End.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Council amends, renames Transportation Master Plan — “City Council approved an amendment to the Alexandria Transportation Master Plan during Saturday’s public hearing that aimed to expand the city’s focus on alternative modes of transit while addressing concerns such as congestion, accessibility and equity.” [Alexandria Times]

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Mark Center redevelopment could give the Hilton Hotel an overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2021 at 2:30PM

Developments in Beauregard, via City of Alexandria

Right after the 100 block of King Street discussion last night, the Planning Commission approved a zoning text amendment that could let some West End developers make better use of the Mark Center site.

At the meeting, land use attorney Kenneth Wire represented the Mark Center Hilton and the Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA), two property owners at the site who have been pushing to have underutilized land around the Mark Center repurposed. Wire said the hotel owners are hoping sale of some of the property, particularly a parcel near a stormwater retention pond, could help fund a facelift for the very dated Mark Center Hilton.

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Former doctor’s office aide accused of computer trespassing after getting fired in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 6, 2021 at 10:00AM | Updated October 6, 2021 at 10:17AM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating a former employee at a doctor’s office in the West End, who is suspected of computer trespassing after allegedly changing his computer passwords after getting fired.

The former employee, who was an aide at the office, was fired on September 17 for “failing to adequately perform her job,” and was escorted out by Alexandria Police after becoming “irate” and “disorderly,” police reported in a search warrant.

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Convicted felon arrested for gun possession after claiming to be shot in head in West End

By James Cullum

Published October 5, 2021 at 2:15PM | Updated October 5, 2021 at 4:09PM

A 23-year-old Fairfax County man wounded after a shooting in a West End apartment complex is being held without bond in the Alexandria jail for being a violent felon in possession of a firearm.

Antwain Lee Williams was arrested on Tuesday, September 21, after being driven to Inova Alexandria Hospital by a neighbor. He was alert with police and claimed that he was shot in the head.

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UPDATE: Alexandria man charged with homicide after stabbing at BJ’s Wholesale Club in Landmark area

By James Cullum

Published September 27, 2021 at 9:30AM | Updated September 27, 2021 at 2:53PM

(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) A 33-year-old Alexandria man is in custody after a Maryland man was killed at the BJ’s Wholesale Club in the Landmark area of the West End on Saturday night.

The incident occurred at around 7:45 p.m. Rakibul Fakir was charged with second-degree murder after allegedly stabbing 29-year-old Abiy Zemene to death.

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City looks to state funding for Holmes Run Trail improvement and West End Transitway

By Vernon Miles

Published September 24, 2021 at 11:00AM

A trail over Holmes Run is still closed after last year's flooding damaged the trail system (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The City of Alexandria is sending a funding request to the state that could help create a better Holmes Run Trail Bridge and push the West End Transitway into its next phase.

At an upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 28, the Council is scheduled to review (item 14) a submission to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for regional transportation funding in FY 2026 to FY 2027. The request is for funding from the NVTA’s 70% Program, which aims to reduce congestion and increase quality of life with projects of regional significance.