See Body-Worn Camera Footage Released By ALX Police Of Officer-Involved Shooting In May

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Alexandria Police Department today revealed body-worn camera footage of a May 18 incident in which an officer fatally shot a suspect in a domestic violence incident at an apartment building at 27 Canterbury Square. They also revealed the name of the victim and suspect.

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire named Emily Ramirez, 27, as the victim of the suspected domestic violence incident. She was shot multiple times.

Hector Amaya, 38, of Alexandria, who was killed by police, is believed to have shot her. The two were in a relationship and lived in the apartment together.

Answering questions after the footage was aired, McGuire said a weapon associated with the homicide was found, but stressed that conclusions could only be drawn after the investigation is concluded.

McGuire said the incident is now under investigation by Alexandria’s Office of Professional Responsibility, the Office of the Independent Auditor, and the regional Critical Incident Response team. He would not state whether he believed the officers were justified in their use of force.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative duty.

What happened at 27 Canterbury Square?

According to McGuire, officers arrived at 27 Canterbury Square at 4:09 a.m. and were told by the suspect’s mother that her son was inside. Body-worn camera footage shows officers speaking to Amaya’s mother and calling from outside the open apartment door for anyone inside to come out. A distressed woman emerges and says she’s Amaya’s sister.

Officers continue to call for Amaya to come out with his hands up. He refuses and yells back at the officers. The angle of the doorways makes it difficult to see into the apartment. Alexandria police officers fire toward the suspect, with one explaining seconds later that Amaya made a “furtive gesture.” It's unclear if he was hit.

Amaya continues to yell at officers, and shortly after, runs at them from around a corner toward the doorway with his hands in front of him, obscured behind a small backpack. Officers fire multiple rounds at the suspect, who eventually falls on the landing.

See footage of the incident below

Authorities recently released a report on a death in Alexandria police custody, with a public hearing scheduled for later this month.