ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Public Information Office
2003 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.838.4636
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 16, 2005
1:00 A.M.
Alexandria Police Investigate an Alleged Barricade Situation
Yesterday afternoon, at approximately 12:38 p.m., a woman called the Alexandria Police Emergency Communications Center to report that a woman she knew, living in the 500 block of South Columbus Street, was distraught, armed with a handgun and possibly suicidal. Police were dispatched to the residence and a perimeter was immediately set up. Members of the Special Operations and Hostage Negotiations Teams were also dispatched to the scene and tactical plans were developed.
Evacuations in the area began for safety reasons and temporary emergency shelters were established by the City’s Emergency Management Team.
Attempts to negotiate with the woman continued throughout the afternoon and into the late evening hours to no avail. This morning, at 12:30 a.m., nearly 12 hours after the operation began, members of the Special Operations Team deployed tear gas and entered the home. The residence was thoroughly searched however, the home was vacant. The police operation was immediately dismantled and units returned to service. Police will conduct a follow up investigation.
For further information, please contact the Public Information Office at 703.838.4636.