Two Women Shot in Alexandria; Police Searching for Suspect

[Anonymous]

Alexandria Police will restrict access to several streets in the area of the Thursday’s homicide scene on Ridge Road Drive for evidence searches later today.

The following intersections will be shut down at 8:00 AM:

•Ridge Road Drive and Braddock Road: no northbound traffic on Ridge Road Drive
•Circle Terrance and Central Avenue: no southbound traffic on Central and no northbound on Circle Terrace
•Farm Road and Virginia Avenue: no southbound traffic on Farm Road
•Ridge Road Drive and Virginia Avenue: no southbound traffic on Ridge Road Drive

This restriction prevents vehicles from entering the area to be searched later in the day. Residents can leave and enter, but non-residents should avoid the area. Police will verify addresses before allowing residents entry. These road closures are to preserve the evidence scene for a search by police academy recruits later in the day, not for a search for the suspect.

It is anticipated that the restrictions will lift at 4 PM, but it may be sooner.

Media will be allowed to film the search and should contact Alexandria Police Media Relations at 703.746.6600 after 10 AM. An area will be designated for media personnel.

[Anonymous]

I'm getting really frustrated with the APD. Is it really going to do much good to search for evidence now? This, along with the door to door questions yesterday, should have been done in the first 24 hours after the shooting not 5 days after the fact.

[Anonymous]

Police Academy Recruits? Media Personnel? This is totally turning into a circus. As a resident of the neighborhood, I'm totally unsettled by the lack of anything to go on...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm getting really frustrated with the APD. Is it really going to do much good to search for evidence now? This, along with the door to door questions yesterday, should have been done in the first 24 hours after the shooting not 5 days after the fact.

As was mentioned before, yesterday was not the first time they went door to door. I think yesterday they simply expanded the area they had canvassed. Also, the first time they talked to neighbors, they didn't have a sketch, so they probably also went back to houses they'd already been to to show the sketch.

APD doesn't have endless resources. I was listening to the scanner shortly after the incident occurred, and they had every available officer doing something related to the incident -- locking down and searching schools, searching for the suspect, securing the crime scene, etc. Parking enforcement officers were brought in to do traffic control to help secure the crime scene. At one point it sounded like they were holding any calls besides emergencies until officers became available from assisting this incident's response. That's not sustainable longer than a few hours, otherwise the public will be up in arms that there aren't officers to respond to other calls.

This is part of the reason they called in the FBI -- agents were assisting with the door to door interviews yesterday.

Also before anyone accuses me of being an employee of APD..I am not, I'm just a City resident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm getting really frustrated with the APD. Is it really going to do much good to search for evidence now? This, along with the door to door questions yesterday, should have been done in the first 24 hours after the shooting not 5 days after the fact.

I agree! 5 days later? They have no idea what they are doing. Why doesn't the FBI take this over?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm getting really frustrated with the APD. Is it really going to do much good to search for evidence now? This, along with the door to door questions yesterday, should have been done in the first 24 hours after the shooting not 5 days after the fact.

I agree! 5 days later? They have no idea what they are doing. Why doesn't the FBI take this over?

They don't have jurisdiction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Police Academy Recruits? Media Personnel? This is totally turning into a circus. As a resident of the neighborhood, I'm totally unsettled by the lack of anything to go on...

It's pretty common to bring in police recruits to assist in a systemic evidence search.

Media like to get video of police searching because it gives them something to report as "new." I've seen several news trucks/vehicles in the neighborhood since day 1, so I think APD just wants to keep them out of the way by designating a spot for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I'm getting really frustrated with the APD. Is it really going to do much good to search for evidence now? This, along with the door to door questions yesterday, should have been done in the first 24 hours after the shooting not 5 days after the fact.


I agree! 5 days later? They have no idea what they are doing. Why doesn't the FBI take this over?


They don't have jurisdiction.

The FBI won't change a thing.

[Anonymous]

The FBI is assisting already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm getting really frustrated with the APD. Is it really going to do much good to search for evidence now? This, along with the door to door questions yesterday, should have been done in the first 24 hours after the shooting not 5 days after the fact.

As was mentioned before, yesterday was not the first time they went door to door. I think yesterday they simply expanded the area they had canvassed. Also, the first time they talked to neighbors, they didn't have a sketch, so they probably also went back to houses they'd already been to to show the sketch.

APD doesn't have endless resources. I was listening to the scanner shortly after the incident occurred, and they had every available officer doing something related to the incident -- locking down and searching schools, searching for the suspect, securing the crime scene, etc. Parking enforcement officers were brought in to do traffic control to help secure the crime scene. At one point it sounded like they were holding any calls besides emergencies until officers became available from assisting this incident's response. That's not sustainable longer than a few hours, otherwise the public will be up in arms that there aren't officers to respond to other calls.

This is part of the reason they called in the FBI -- agents were assisting with the door to door interviews yesterday.

Also before anyone accuses me of being an employee of APD..I am not, I'm just a City resident.

I understand the city doesn't have endless resources - which is why I'd rather they not put out a public presence, that seems more for appearances - and instead handle investigations swiftly and immediately. There was so much police presence yesterday, not in any areas by the shooting. It seemed more as a "well we want to show the public we're attentive" thing, than actually doing or investigating anything. I feel like that's a waste of resources. Ditto with carrying out searches 5 days after the fact, and the canvassing. It seems more like TSA security theater, than actually doing much.

[Anonymous]

Just heard helicopters again...

[Anonymous]

Brainstorming connections between unsolved cases in this area that have some similarities..

Nancy Dunning, 56, killed in her home on Mt. Ida Ave (Alex City) on 12/5/2003

Marion Marshall, 72, killed in her home on Bostwick Dr (Springfield, FFX county) on 8/14/2006

Marion Newman, 74, killed in her home on Reservoir Rd (Springfield, FFX county) on 11/21/2006

Ron Kirby, 69, killed in his home on Elm St (Alex City) on 11/11/2013

Ruthanne Lodato, 59, killed in her home on Ridge Road Dr (Alex City) on 2/6/2014

None of the above cases involved forced entry or robbery (one Marion is missing a ring, but police don't know if it was just misplaced). No motive or witnesses (with the exception of the caregiver in the Lodato case).

One thing to note is that Kirby was at home the day he was killed because it was Veteran's Day. The last time his wife talked to him was to ask for directions to a place she was volunteering. Because she was asking for directions, it could've been her first time volunteering there, and thus a break from her regular routine. What if Kirby's wife was the intended target and the killer didn't realize Kirby would be home instead of his wife?

[Anonymous]

I don't understand how we still don't have any more details.

Do the bullets and style of gun used, match the other similar cases?

How close range were they all shot? Did the gunman shoot very close (right at doorway), or ring the doorbell, and hide (behind bush, car) and then shoot?

How do we have a sketch of the face, but not a build or height description? It's much more difficult to take in the details of someone's face, than their stature.

What is the source for the description? Has it been corroborated with other people? Does the description submitted anonymously, match the 2nd victim's description?

I'm baffled how little information is either known, or shared. I almost feel like we can't be certain of anything - even the little that we've been told.

[Anonymous]

Wish we had some more info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand how we still don't have any more details.

Do the bullets and style of gun used, match the other similar cases?

How close range were they all shot? Did the gunman shoot very close (right at doorway), or ring the doorbell, and hide (behind bush, car) and then shoot?

How do we have a sketch of the face, but not a build or height description? It's much more difficult to take in the details of someone's face, than their stature.

What is the source for the description? Has it been corroborated with other people? Does the description submitted anonymously, match the 2nd victim's description?

I'm baffled how little information is either known, or shared. I almost feel like we can't be certain of anything - even the little that we've been told.

I agree and will add I think it's weird that:

*Caregiver was never named

*No news story included the name of her DH

*No family has been interviewed or given info to the press

*Caregiver has provided no additional information

*Neighbors seems to not be providing any useful info to the press - who lived in the house, did they routinely see someone fitting the description visit or coming and going, etc.