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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire on Wednesday released body-worn camera footage from a May 18 officer-involved shooting at Canterbury Square, offering the public its first detailed look at what officers encountered when they arrived at the scene in the early morning hours following a fatal domestic violence incident.
McGuire identified the victim as Emily Ramirez, 27, an Alexandria resident and former student of what is now Alexandria City High School. Officers responding to the scene found Ramirez inside the apartment suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, which McGuire said were inflicted before officers arrived. The suspect, identified as Hector Amaya, 38, also an Alexandria resident, was subsequently shot by officers and later pronounced dead. McGuire said the two were in a relationship and lived together in the apartment.
"Today we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and all who knew and loved her," McGuire said of Ramirez.
What the footage shows
According to McGuire, two officers were dispatched at approximately 4:06 a.m. to 27 Canterbury Square following a report of a woman who had been shot. They arrived at 4:09 a.m. and were met outside the apartment by a woman who directed them to the scene and told them the male suspect was still inside. That woman was later identified as Amaya's mother.
According to McGuire's account of the footage and the department's preliminary investigation, both officers approached the doorway, announced themselves as police and issued commands for occupants to exit with their hands up. Amaya's sister came out onto the landing. When an officer asked the mother who had fired the weapon, the sister told officers it was her brother, and said his girlfriend had been shot inside.
Amaya did not comply with commands, responding with obscene language. One officer fired a service weapon after observing what the officer later described as a furtive gesture — defined by McGuire as a deliberate movement that an objectively reasonable officer could interpret as an attempt to conceal, retrieve or access a weapon.
Amaya then moved rapidly toward the officers while holding what appeared to be a small backpack with his arms extended in a manner that concealed his hands. He retreated toward the doorway, positioned himself behind the front door and continued to conceal his hands. When he attempted to exit again, officers fired additional shots. Amaya fell onto the landing outside the apartment doorway.
Officers then entered the apartment and found Ramirez in a bedroom suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures were provided to both Ramirez and Amaya at the scene. Both were later pronounced dead.
Note: APD's initial May 18 press release described the suspect as having "barricaded himself inside a room." McGuire did not use that language Wednesday, describing Amaya as moving toward and then retreating from officers in the doorway.
Questions McGuire would not answer
McGuire declined to say whether Amaya was armed, saying the final investigative findings would address that. He confirmed a weapon believed to be associated with the incident was recovered but said the regional investigative team — not APD — would speak to its location. He did not know how many times Amaya was struck, the total number of shots fired or whether Amaya was hit during the first volley while still inside the apartment.
Asked directly whether the use of force appeared to comply with department policy, McGuire declined to render a judgment. "To rush the judgment for me to make a statement would be irresponsible," he said. "Once this investigation is going to end, I will look at all the facts subsequent the commonwealth attorney and other entities that involve and make a decision based off of that when I have all of the facts."
The two officers involved remain on administrative assignment at the police department — working within the building in a non-patrol role. The original May 18 press release described them as on administrative leave. Collectively, the officers have seven and a half years of service with APD.
Three investigations underway
McGuire outlined three parallel investigations into the incident. The CERT team — the Critical Incident Response Team, a multi-jurisdictional body made up of investigators and officers from other jurisdictions — is handling the criminal investigation, which will be turned over to the Commonwealth Attorney's office to determine whether officers will be charged. The Alexandria Office of Police Responsibility is reviewing whether officers violated any administrative regulations. And the Office of the Independent Policing Auditor will conduct its own independent review.
Independent Policing Auditor Ameratu Kamara briefed city council Tuesday night and confirmed her office has already reviewed the body-worn camera footage and has access to all available evidence and records in the Canterbury Square case. Kamara said her office was notified of the incident by both the Chief of Police and the City Manager. But she said her office's independent administrative investigation will not begin until the criminal investigation by CIRT concludes and her office has received all relevant evidence from APD.
"First the criminal investigation and then confirming that we receive all evidence from APD — we will initiate our independent administrative review," Kamara told council.
She explained the distinction between the parallel tracks to council: the criminal investigation determines whether officers violated criminal law, while the administrative investigation — conducted by both APD's Office of Professional Responsibility and her office — determines whether officers complied with department policy. Both tracks proceed regardless of whether the officers are charged. The chief of police retains sole authority over implementation of any findings and recommendations, though any rejected recommendations must be put in writing to the board, auditor, city council and public within 30 days.
Kamara also noted Tuesday that her office recently completed a separate investigation — the in-custody death of Allan Tucker Jr., which occurred August 15, 2025. That report was released June 22. The Independent Community Policing Review Board will hold a public hearing on the Tucker investigation Monday, June 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Center. Virtual attendance is available. Written public comments can be submitted to policeoversight@alexandriava.gov or icprb@alexandriava.gov with the subject line "public comment."
"Domestic violence often occurs behind closed doors"
McGuire framed the incident explicitly as a domestic violence case and used the briefing to direct community members to available resources.
"Domestic violence often occurs behind closed doors and can remain hidden from family members, friends and neighbors, and co-workers," he said. "Many victims suffer in silence due to fear of manipulation, intimidation of not only their safety, but also of other family members."
The body-worn camera footage has been posted to the Alexandria Police Department's YouTube channel. Viewer discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the Alexandria Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7, free and bilingual, at 703-746-4911. Additional resources: Sexual Assault Center hotline: 703-683-7273. Emergency Mental Health Services: 703-746-3401. Child Protective Services: 703-746-5800. APD non-emergency line: 703-746-4444.
