By Leslie Golden | lgolden@alextimes.com
Three shootings took place in Alexandria in a span of less than a half hour on Saturday night.
According to a release from the Alexandria Police Department, on Saturday “at approximately 7:52 p.m. officers responded to the 3800 block of Florence Drive. A 26-year-old male victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound and transferred to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
ALXnow posted a story that night about the shooting with a photo that depicted a police officer rendering aid to the apparent shooting victim, who was lying next to a large machete.
Officers are still investigating and ask anyone with information to call Detective T. Griffin at 703-859-3271. All callers can remain anonymous.
At 8:05 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 700 block of S. Patrick St. Upon arriving at the scene, officers learned dozens of individuals riding dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and other recreational vehicles were gathered at two neighboring gas stations when individuals began shooting. Through regional collaboration, detectives learned of a victim being taken to an area hospital in stable condition.
Alexandria Police continue to investigate the shooting, which apparently happened after the group of bikers rode through Arlington County and then to the gas stations in Alexandria. There are two confirmed injured victims of this incident. Victim #1, a 30-year-old male, was located near the National Harbor and transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound that is considered non-life threatening. Victim #2, a 30-year-old male, was identified at a local hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound.
Anyone with information in reference to the shooting is asked to contact Alexan- dria Police Detective B. Smith at 703-746-6159. Anyone with video, audio, or digital im- ages relating to the shooting can upload anonymously to alexandriapdva.evidence.com/ axon/community-request/public/700spatrickshooting.
As a reminder to the community, it is illegal to ride a dirt bike or ATV on public roads in Virginia. (Virginia Code § 46.2- 915.1)”
