ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Public Information Office
2003 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.838.4636
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 9, 2004 1:30 A.M.
Alexandria Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting;
Suspect Shot and Killed After Spraying Officer With Pepper Spray
Alexandria police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in which the suspect was killed. On Saturday, May 8, at 10:33 p.m., police responded to a domestic violence call in the 4600 block of Raleigh Avenue. A description of the suspect was broadcast to responding officers, and approximately 10 minutes later, an officer arriving on the scene observed someone matching the description leaving the apartment building.
The officer approached the suspect and tried to speak with him. The suspect was very agitated and uncooperative. When the officer attempted to arrest the man, the man resisted and a struggle ensued. The officer attempted to use pepper spray to subdue the man, but the suspect was able to take possession of the pepper spray canister. The suspect then sprayed the officer and at that point, the officer fired multiple shots and killed the suspect.
The suspect, a 50-year-old Alexandria man, was dead at the scene. The officer was taken to Inova Alexandria Hospital where he was treated for the effects of the pepper spray. He suffered no additional injuries.
The suspect's identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The officer, an eight-year veteran, is not being identified at this time. It is routine to place officers involved in cases of deadly force on administrative leave with pay.
Both the Criminal Investigations Section and the Internal Investigations Unit will investigate further this incident.
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