Man found dead in Thornton Way apartment after hours-long police response
Police responded to report of man in crisis threatening self-harm; negotiation efforts unsuccessful
Updated 4:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9: This story has been updated with additional details from an Alexandria Police Department press release, including the initial response time and cause of the apparent death.
A man was found dead inside an apartment on Thornton Way early Friday morning following a barricade incident that lasted several hours, Alexandria police said.
Officers responded to an apartment building at 751 Thornton Way at approximately 12:49 a.m. for a report involving a man in crisis who was threatening self-harm, according to a press release from the Alexandria Police Department.
Officers established a perimeter and were able to communicate with the individual. Based on his statements, the department’s Crisis Negotiations and Special Operations Teams were activated while efforts to make contact continued.
The Alexandria Police Department first announced publicly that officers were present in the 700 block of Thornton Way at 4:24 a.m., asking residents to avoid the area due to an ongoing investigation, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.
Negotiation efforts were unsuccessful, and the Special Operations Team entered the apartment at approximately 6:42 a.m., where the man was found deceased with an apparent gunshot wound, police said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.
During the incident, police asked neighboring residents to shelter in place.
The man’s identity has not been released. The incident remains under investigation.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call or text 988 to speak with a trained counselor.
