A second homicide hit Alexandria’s Braddock neighborhood last week, but so far, Alexandria Police have nothing to say about either investigation. Leon Williams, 37, died from a gunshot wound on late on Oct. 7 on Belle Pre Way in the Braddock neighborhood. In July, less than a block away, Shakaan Elliott-Tibbs was shot and killed.
Ashley Hildebrant, a public information officer for the Alexandria police, said the department would be remiss if it didn’t investigate the possibility of a connection with the first murder, but said that at the moment there was no new information in either investigation.
At the City Council meeting on Oct. 13, Mayor William Euille mentioned Williams’ murder.
“Any homicide is one homicide too many, it’s totally unacceptable,” said Euille, “but we’re a very safe city and the police are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of this crime.”
City Manager Mark Jinks said that several residents told the city that the buildings in the area have insufficient security, asking that cameras or additional lighting be installed. Jinks said that the city is currently looking into additional street lights and the police have offered to review security measures with the apartment complex owners.
The police ask that anyone with information about this investigation contact Sgt. David Cutting with the Alexandria Police Department at 703-746-6627.