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This story was updated on Saturday, Aug, 29, 2026, with additional clarification regarding injuries.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A large crowd gathered at the Bradlee Shopping Center on Friday night after Alexandria City High School's first home football game, prompting a police response that affected traffic on King Street, according to the Alexandria Police Department and the school's principal.
No student injuries were reported and no arrests were made, police spokeswoman Tracy Walker said Saturday. Walker initially said no injuries were reported, then corrected the statement Saturday afternoon to specify no student injuries. The Alexandria Brief has asked the department to clarify the change.
A large crowd left the stadium area and assembled at the shopping center at about 9:45 p.m., Walker said. School resource officers were on duty at the game and additional officers were already assigned to Bradlee as a support detail. Police and school administrators worked together to disperse the crowd.
The department posted a public notice Friday night asking people to avoid the area and use alternate routes while officers worked there.
In a letter to families Saturday morning, Principal Michael Burch said a group of individuals caused a significant disruption at the shopping center following the game, which resulted in the increased law enforcement presence. He said the vast majority of students, families and fans left the sold-out game in an orderly manner.
Burch said school administrators, ACPS security personnel and law enforcement are still reviewing what happened, and that the school will follow up in accordance with school and division policies. That may include barring those involved from future extracurricular events, he wrote.
He asked families to reinforce with students that school pride should be reflected in how they conduct themselves off campus as well.
Accounts circulating on social media Friday night described a larger and more chaotic scene than either the police department or the school division has confirmed.
The game was the Titans' first home contest of the season at Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium, a 21-7 win over Lake Braddock.
