More Details Emerge in Gunfire Incident

Two defendants and two intended victims in the on the corner of Kennedy Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue were acquainted, according to Alexandria Police officers.  

Lt. James Bridgeman and Sgt. William Mayfield met with citizens Wednesday night at Landover Pool House in a meeting hosted by the Warwick Village Citizens Association to address the Aug. 3 incident where no one was injured.

The case has not gone to trial and the incident remains under investigation, so the officers were short on specific details.

Bridgeman believed approximately two or three shots were made from distance around 8 p.m. on Aug. 3.

Bridgeman believed the shots came from the west side of Mt. Vernon Avenue. One bullet entered the living room of a unit at the Del Ray Central apartments. The resident was out of town when the bullet entered, according to Bridgeman. It ricocheted around the room before lodging somewhere in the kitchen.

in connection with the incident about a week after it occurred.

According to a police spokesperson, an Alexandria juvenile was taken into custody and charged with two counts of attempted felonious assault, two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a handgun by an underage person.

Alexandria resident Andy Melendez, 18, was also arrested and charged with two counts of attempted malicious wounding.

Bridgeman said two search warrants were executed and a weapon was recovered.

“We cannot speculate on motive,” Mayfield said, adding that the incident was not gang related.

Bridgeman said one person involved in the incident lived on Kennedy Street but that the person and the person’s family moved away in recent weeks.

The officers said they were unsure if anyone would press charges in the incident.

“They were all friends,” Bridgeman said. “Friends make up.”

At the meeting, several citizens who live near where the incident occurred said they have noticed drug activity around Kennedy Street over time.

Mayfield said the Alexandria Police do check the area routinely.

“You guys are our eyes and ears,” Mayfield said. “If you see something, give us a call.”

The officers reminded residents that the non-emergency number for the Alexandria Police Department is 703-838-4444. In the event of a serious call, the officers reminded residents to stay in their homes.