WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA — Police say Ronald Hamilton, 32, shot three Prince William County Police officers after he killed his wife Saturday evening. The suspect is an active duty Army staff sergeant assigned to the Joint Staff Support Center at the Pentagon.
Officer Ashley Guindon was killed in the shootout. It was her first day on duty. She was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Officers responded to a residence located in the 15000 block of Lashmere Ct in Woodbridge (22192) for an initial report of a domestic altercation. When officers arrived on scene, they approached the front door of the home and were confronted by a suspect, later identified as the accused. The accused was armed with a firearm and opened fire, striking three county police officers who sustained critical wounds. Additional officers arrived at the residence and the accused surrendered to police without further incident.
Officers also provided life-saving first aid to the wounded officers until Fire & Rescue crews could get on scene. All three officers were flown to Fairfax INOVA Hospital where one of the officers, identified as Officer Ashley Guindon, died as a result of her injuries. After securing the suspect, officers conducted a search of the home and located an adult woman inside deceased from gunshot related injuries.
An 11-year old boy was also inside the residence at the time of the incident and fled the home at some point during the encounter. The child was not injured and will be released to the custody of other family members. The investigation revealed that the accused and his wife were involved in a verbal altercation which escalated physically. The wife was able to contact police; however, before officers could arrive, she was allegedly shot and killed by the accused. The remaining two officers shot during the encounter remain hospitalized at this time. Following the investigation, the accused was arrested and charged.
“Our sincere condolences go out to Ashley’s family and friends, as well as, our fellow officers and department staff,” Police Chief Steve Hudson said. “Police work was in Ashley’s blood and she had such passion”
Hamilton was being held without bond on charges of capital murder of a police officer, assault with a fire arm and murder in the first degree, according to NBC News.
Welcome Officers Steven Kendall & Ashley Guindon who were sworn in today & begin their shifts this weekend.Be safe! pic.twitter.com/92c2YLjcQx
— Prince William Co PD (@PWCPoliceDept) February 26, 2016
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”. #RIPAshleyGuindon pic.twitter.com/AyG7NmYDNt
— Prince William Co PD (@PWCPoliceDept) February 28, 2016
PWCPD Ofc Ashley Guindon has died as a result of her injuries sustained during the incident on Lashmere Ct. We ask for thoughts and prayers.
— Prince William Co PD (@PWCPoliceDept) February 28, 2016
The shooting happened in the Lake Ridge neighborhood, an upscale area of Woodbridge where the average home costs $500,000.
