Girl Shot In Old Town West Amid Concerns About Crime In Neighborhood

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria Police say a juvenile girl was shot Tuesday afternoon in the Old Town West neighborhood near the Braddock Road Metro.

The shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. in the area around the 1300 block of Wythe Street. Police say the victim has serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have not announced an arrest.

"Thankfully, because of the recently installed cameras that we have in the area, we are further along in this investigation because of the evidence we have," said Police Chief Don Hayes in a video update. "We're actively working all the leads that we have along with our partners in the surrounding jurisdictions to combat this uptick in violence that has disrupted the quality of life in our communities."

The police activity led to a brief secure the building status around 1:41 p.m. at the Alexandria City Public Schools Central Office building, Alexandria City High School Satellite Campus and George Washington Middle School. Secure the building status meant the school day continued inside while no one was allowed to enter or leave. The school district said the buildings returned to normal status at 1:56 p.m.

The shooting is in a neighborhood with concerns about rising gunshots incidents. In the nearby 700 block of N. Fayette Street, police have installed cameras and increased officer presence in response to a string of gunshots incidents. Alexandria Police indicated the measures would continue until they've resolved the source of the violence.

"For those of you that insist on committing these crimes, we will use every resource that we have to ensure that we find out who you are and bring you to justice," said Hayes.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to contact Detective Stephen Riley at 703-746-6225, stephen.riley@alexandriava.gov or the police non-emergency number at 703-746-444.