ATF Offers $10K Reward for Information in Falls Church Homicide
Total Possible Reward up to $11k
Falls Church, Va. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division announced today a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the shooting death of 73-year-old Nelson Alexander Sr.
This is in addition to the reward of up to a $1,000 reward offered by Crime Solvers, bringing the total possible reward up to $11,000.
On Oct. 20, Fairfax County Police Department officers responded to the 2900 block of Annandale Road after a bicyclist saw Alexander lying on the ground in the parking lot. Fire and Rescue personnel discovered Alexander suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body and he was subsequently taken to an area hospital where he later died.
The homicide investigation revealed Alexander used a walk-up ATM and as he was standing in front of the ATM, he was approached by an unknown man wearing a mask who displayed a small revolver. The man was seen on surveillance footage threatening the victim and making demands before shooting him.
The suspect is described as a young African American man, slim build, last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark colored pants, light colored backpack, white shoes with black laces and a black face covering.
“This tragic and completely unacceptable act of gun violence took the life of a man simply using an ATM machine. Our condolences go to the family of Mr. Nelson Alexander,” said ATF Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson. “ATF will continue to lend our investigative resources as we collaborate with our local, state and federal partners to combat violent crime and continue to disrupt the cycle of criminal acquisition and the misuse of firearms. We call upon all community members to provide any information that will possibly assist us in locating and holding all involved accountable for this senseless crime.”
Upon further investigation, detectives discovered on the morning of the fatal shooting a 2009 Nissan Murano had been stolen from the 5200 block of Dover Place in Alexandria. Detectives believe the stolen Murano was seen on the ATM surveillance footage shortly after the fatal shooting. A lookout for the Murano was immediately and continuously broadcasted through law enforcement channels until Fairfax County officers found the vehicle unoccupied Sunday morning on Annadale Road, near the scene of the murder. Detectives believe the Murano was likely abandoned by the suspect.
Fairfax County Police Detectives continue to ask community members to review their home and business surveillance footage from the overnight hours of Oct. 19 into the early morning of Oct. 20. Detectives believe the suspect may have been involved in other criminal activity overnight.
Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at 888 -ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477). Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text: Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web: Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers.”
Photos are provided courtesy of Fairfax County Police Department:
ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes and regulates the firearm industry. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov. Follow @ATFWashington on Twitter for more news about ATF’s work in Washington. D.C., Virginia and West Virginia.
