Ashley Guindon, a rookie cop, was killed Saturday while responding to a domestic disturbance on her first day on the job with the Prince William County Police Department.
The suspect, Ronald Hamilton, 32, also is accused of killing his wife, Crystal Hamilton, 29.
Hamilton, who is an active-duty Army staff sergeant stationed at the Pentagon, is being held on charges of capital murder of a police officer, assault with a firearm, and murder in the first degree and
could face the death penalty, NBC News reported.
Guindon was one of three officers shot while responding to the domestic altercation in Woodbridge, Virginia, on Saturday,
the Prince William County Police Department said in a news release. When officers approached the front door of the residence, the suspect reportedly opened fire. Additional officers arrived at the scene, and the suspect surrendered. Officers found the body of the suspect’s wife, who had contacted police before being shot and killed. An 11-year-old boy fled the residence during the encounter and was not injured.
“Our sincere condolences go out to Ashley's family and friends, as well as our fellow officers and department staff,” the statement said. “We are asking for thoughts and prayers as we monitor the conditions of the two officers who remain hospitalized. We greatly appreciate the overwhelming support we have received from our Prince William County community and from those across the nation and world.”
The police department also reached out via social media with messages about the incident.
Guindon, 28, was sworn in during ceremonies on Friday and
died during her first shift, The Washington Post reported.
“It’s the worst nightmare that could happen to any police officer and her family,” Guindon’s former professor, Chris Bonner, who is a former FBI special agent, said, according to the Post. “After 28 years in law enforcement, I’ve been to too many cop funerals. We all stand there stoically with a look of strength. Inside we are dying and weeping. That’s the kind of emotion I’m going through right now.”
The wounded officers are Jesse Hempen, 31, and David McKeown, 33.
The suspect’s father, Ronald Whaley Hamilton, a retired major with the Charleston, South Carolina, Police Department, told the Post: “We are grieving the same as all the people in Prince William County, as well as the law enforcement community across the United States. Ronald has always been a calm person and a very friendly person. He had a bright future with the Army and military. We express our thoughts and condolences to everyone who is affected.”
Condolences poured out on Twitter.
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