Alexandria Police Shoot, Kill Man in Domestic Incident
Duke Street remains shut down in both directions.
Photos
UPDATE (6:55 p.m.): Alexandria police say the suspect in Monday's shooting had a gun. Read more here.
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One man is dead following an officer-involved shooting Monday in West End Alexandria.
Alexandria police spokeswoman Ashley Hildebrandt said police were called to the 3400 block of Duke Street, near Quaker Lane, at approximately 2 p.m. in reference to a domestic dispute.
“It evolved into a fatal officer-involved shooting,” Hildebrandt said. “The suspect did have a weapon.”
Duke Street remained shut down in both directions at 3:40 p.m.
Melinda Fields Sigal, a West End resident who was picking up a friend in the area shortly after 1:30 p.m., said she saw police with guns drawn near an apartment or condominium complex on Duke Street. She told Patch she heard multiple shots fired.
“You could tell there was a lot of panic in the air,” Sigal said. “You could tell the police were trying to protect everyone.”
Check West End Alexandria Patch later today for more on this developing story.
JohnInNova
4:37 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
When Police fire there weapons, is it always to kill? Can't they shoot someone in the leg?
Gabriel D
10:31 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
When police fire their weapons they aim for center of mass which is the most likely place to hit the target. In a stressful situation such as this it is very difficult to pick a specific point to hit. If anyone points a gun at a police officer they will likely be shot. The fact that multiple officers shot at the subject means that they all felt threatened
JohnInNova
4:38 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
...sorry... "their weapons".
Mike D
5:40 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
Weapons means knife. If it was a gun they would have mentioned it. I agree, no reason to kill a boy in front of his mother who is carrying a knife. My friend saw the whole thing and she mentioned he was on his knees when they shot him
CMurphy
2:49 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Two actual human beings -- along with the police -- have said he was carrying a gun and fired it first. One of those humans appeared on Channel 7 last night and the other is quoted in this story.
Macaila Saunders
5:59 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
Deadly force is utilized when confronted with deadly force. That Police Officer has a family to go home to as well. Sunday morning quarter backs will be coming out of the cracks. It is an unfortunate situation but no one put the knife in the defendants hand but the defendant himself. His choices led to the situation escalating as it had. I am thankful the Officer is safe and I believe they deserve more respect than what will be given.
Mark Rosoff
7:03 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
I agree, except that's Monday morning and quarterback is one word.
Haunches
6:22 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
How certain are you that the man was holding a knife and not a gun? And what do you mean he was on his knees? Those are serious allegations to make.
Marketta Hoskins
6:59 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
Macaila Saunders clearly doesnt have all the facts as to what has happened today. Get the whole story before you make statements like that, and what happened to have a little class and respect for the dead I mean really we all have families and people that care about us it doesnt matter police, doctor, or the trashman. NOONE has the right to take another persons life.
CMurphy
2:48 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Except when that person is trying to take yours.
BIF
7:35 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
FYI, the young man killed served in Iraq. I love America but the American military needs to do more than send soulders off like the weapons we decommission.
Gail G
7:46 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
He was a US Marine, and his most recent job (according to his LinkedIn profile) was as a security guard at the US Consulate in Mumbai. It notes that he had security clearance. Clearly he couldn't have been all bad. Something terrible must have happened to put him in such a state.
Casey
8:11 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
I'm with you Gail. Everything you said is true. This was a good man and he didn't not deserve to go like this. I'm still in shock. What happened?
Casey
8:14 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
correction "did not"
MaryW
10:32 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
These officers did the right thing. This man was surrounded by officers and pointed a gun at them... that is a death wish. They are heroes in my opinion.
STFU
11:35 am on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Shoot at the police, get shot. Simple as that. I don't know what all the fuss is about. Here comes the "racism car" smh
Rachel Leonard
2:49 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
A comment was removed from this article due to profanity.
Jason Smiley
9:44 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
How come the cops can never Taser someone or shot him in the legs? Its clear this guy was suffering some type of mental breakdown. Is that reason to take his life? Granted, he posed a threat to the community, but can there at least be an attempt to take him out peacefully? Try that for the first 15 secs, if that doesnt work, then shoot him center mass. I know, easy for me to say as a Monday morning quarterback. Would love to hear from some witnesses if they believe this was the only possible way to resolve this issue. Tear gas the guy - bet he collapses on the ground, no shots fired.
Doug
10:41 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Right - because in the 15 second window you propose this person wouldn't have the chance to fire off a few rounds, which in that period of time could be the entire contents of the magazine, at police, fire or other civilians. Think about what you suggest and then try to put yourself into the shoes of the police officers who risked their lives to end this threat to our community. Geesh.