BREAKING NEWS: Charles Severance Charged in Murders of Lodato, Kirby, Dunning

Investigators have charged Charles Severance in the homicides of three City of Alexandria residents — Ruthanne Lodato, Ron Kirby and Nancy Dunning — each victim killed as they answered their front door, their homes just blocks apart.

The case confounded Alexandria Police when similarities between the first two shootings — a decade apart — became a deadly and frightening pattern with the third death in February of Lodato, a popular music teacher.

Severance, 53, was arrested in March at a public library in Wheeling, W.Va., on a warrant for a weapons offense at his Loudoun County home.

Since then, he has remained a “person of interest” in the slayings, primarily due to his resemblance to a police sketch of the suspect and stories of Severance’s eccentric past as a political candidate in Alexandria.

Dunning, a real estate agent, was killed in 2003. Last November, the victim was Kirby, a regional transportation planner.

Lodato’s death in February led police to consider a link. Investigators found common markings on bullet fragments in all three shootings.

For a brief time, residents were warned not to answer the door to strangers, prior to the capture of Severance.

He has been indicted on the following charges:

• Nancy Dunning Case: First Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony
• Ron Kirby Case: Capital Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
• Ruthanne Lodato Case: Capital Murder, two counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Malicious Wounding

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This has been a complex and time-consuming investigation that has spanned almost 11 years, the police department noted in a news release. The Alexandria Police Department thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Virginia State Police, and area law enforcement agencies for their assistance.

Watch a video here of Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook’s Monday afternoon news conference.

Also read:

• Alexandria Resident Ruthanne Lodato Killed in Shooting Thursday
• Shooting Victim Ruthanne Lodato was Mother of 3, Music Teacher
• Ruthanne Lodato Homicide: Alexandria Police Chief, Mayor Attempt to Reassure Community
• Alexandria Police Release Sketch of Suspected Shooter in Lodato Murder
• Police Restrict Access to Streets Around Shooting
• Ruthanne Lodato Funeral: Hundreds Gather to Say Goodbye
• Police to Hold News Conference on Lodato Homicide Investigation
• VIDEO: Alexandria Police Chief Doesn’t Rule Out Serial Killer
• What Ties Lodato Homicide to Other Victims?
• Prosecutor: Man Wanted for Questioning in Alexandria Slayings ‘A Danger’; 2 Guns Missing
• Public Defender Says Charles Severance Being Held on ‘Sham’ Charges
• Gov. McAuliffe Signs Extradition Order for ‘Person of Interest’ in Alexandria Killings
• Prosecutor: Charles Severance Served With Extradition Warrant
• Charles Severance’s Attorney Asks to Delay Extradition Hearing to April 24
• FBI, Police Search Water for Evidence in Connection with Three Alexandria Homicides
• Woman Reportedly Purchased Guns for Severance; Public Defender, Again, Asks for His Release Under ‘Sham’ Charges
• Charles Severance, ‘Person of Interest’ in Alexandria Shootings, Due in Court
• Judge: Severance Must Return to Virginia
• Charles Severance Set to Be Extradited to Virginia
• Charles Severance Transported Monday to Loudoun County Adult Detention Center