Fairfax County Police Department News

Mount Vernon and Franconia District Stations – Detectives continue to investigate several recent gang-related shootings in Fairfax County. Our officers are also proactively engaging with area residents and working hard to ensure the safety of everyone in our community. This includes an increased presence in neighborhoods where the shootings took place. Additionally, our detectives are working around the clock to conduct interviews, examine evidence, and develop and pursue all investigative leads as we work to bring a resolution to these cases.

In an effort to keep the community informed, we will be attending community meetings this week to provide updates on the investigations, and answer as many questions as possible.  The meetings are set for:

Tuesday, July 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Gum Springs Community Center (8100 Fordson Road, Alexandria)

Thursday, July 11, 6:00 p.m. at the Rose Hill Elementary School (6301 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria)

Chief Edwin C. Roessler, Jr. attended a community meeting this past Saturday at the Highland Park Pool and Tennis Club.  He provided updates on the ongoing investigation and the Department’s efforts to utilize all available resources to end any further violence and bring those involved to justice. “Where we need your help is through the eyes and ears you have to look over the shoulder of your children,” Chief Roessler said at the Highland Park Pool and Tennis Club. “Gang activity is done through the devices in their hand.”

Chief Roessler added gangs don’t have boundaries and operate across multiple jurisdictions in our region. Our Department is working with our federal, state and local partners to solve these cases.

“It’s only a matter of time, if we don’t stop this, that someone walking by or driving by is going to get hit by a stray bullet,” Chief Roessler said Saturday. “And we’re not going to have that here in our county. We’re doing everything we can to bring these people to justice.”

The recent shootings began on Monday, July 1 around 11 p.m. when two juveniles were shot at the playground at 3026 Fordson Court.  Both victim’s injuries were not life threatening and they were treated and released from a local hospital.  Officers found 29 shell casings at the scene. Three community member’s cars were also hit by several bullets.

On Tuesday afternoon, July 2 there was a shooting in the parking lot of the Midieast Studio, located at 6404 Telegraph Road. Officers initially responded to the address around 4 p.m. and found an man with a gunshot wound. Minutes later, officers responded to the 2700 block of James Drive and found two additional men with gunshot wounds. All three had injuries that were not life threatening. Detectives believe that the occupants of a dark colored Mitsubishi sedan and a dark colored Toyota sedan exchanged gunfire outside of the studio. The occupants of the Toyota then drove approximately two miles to James Drive in the Huntington area of the county and called 9-1-1. The Mitsubishi was located unoccupied overnight. Our Crime Scene Section is processing both vehicles. Detectives believe a previous shooting on February 12 of this year at 6404 Telegraph Road is also gang-related.

On Wednesday, July 3 just before midnight, one man was shot at the playground at 3026 Fordson Court.  He had a graze wound that was not life threatening and refused medical treatment. Two cars and an apartment were also hit by bullets.  The suspect’s vehicle was described as a white SUV with dark tinted windows, possibly occupied by three young black males. Detectives believe this shooting is also gang-related and likely linked to the shooting at the same playground on Monday, July 1.

We have also provided the following links to our community about gang prevention:

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gangprevention/

http://www.preventgangsnova.org/EnglishSquare.pdf

Additionally, detectives are asking for anybody with information about this event to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone -1-866-411-TIPS ( 866-411-8477 ), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE.  Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers“.  Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest. For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.