Arlington County police are investigating a pair of gun crimes that happened along Columbia Pike on Monday.
The first happened in front of the Arlington Drafthouse around 3:45 a.m., when a fight in the middle of Columbia Pike was followed by several shots. No one was reported to be struck by the gunfire.
“Police were dispatched to the report of shots heard,” ACPD said. “Responding officers recovered evidence confirming shots had been fired in the area and canvassed the area for the suspects yielding negative results.”
“The preliminary investigation indicates a group of approximately 6 – 8 individuals were engaged in a physical altercation prior to the shooting,” the police report continued. “No injuries were reported.”
The gunshots woke up nearby residents and attracted the attention of local public safety watcher Dave Statter, who posted video of the fight from a local traffic camera.
Live next door. Heard three shots and got up to check. Didn’t see anyone in the street until police arrived. Police didn’t stay for more than 45 minutes if I had to guess. pic.twitter.com/NbuMZ2hSNY
— Yeorge 🤙🏼 (@YYerge) September 9, 2024
Later that same day, around 11:15 p.m., police were dispatched to a report of an armed carjacking and pistol whipping on the 2500 block of 9th Road S. That’s in Penrose Square, near the Giant.
“The male victim was returning to his vehicle in a parking garage when the male suspect approached, brandished a firearm, struck the victim with the firearm and demanded the victim’s car keys,” ACPD said in a crime report. “The suspect then fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle, described as a Gray Kia Niro.”
Police said the victim suffered minor injuries and did not require medical attention.
This is at least the sixth carjacking in Arlington so far this year, after 18 over the course of 2023.
