Crime & Safety

Police Investigate Apparent Suicide, Suspicious Package in Alexandria

Police say James Froman 50, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a wooded area off of W. Braddock Road. Homes in the area were evacuated Monday night due to a suspicious package left in a backyard.

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating an apparent suicide and a suspicious package call that occurred Monday night in the 400 block of Hanson Lane off of W. Braddock Road in Alexandria, according to a news release from the department.

At approximately 6:16 p.m. Monday, police responded to a call regarding a suspicious package in a backyard.

Officers found a bag containing a firearm and a suspected explosive device. The Arlington County Fire Department EOD Unit responded, and Fairfax County Police Department assisted with use of a helicopter.

An item was detonated in a controlled manner to safely dispose of the possible explosive. This is a standard method used by explosive experts.

Several nearby houses were evacuated due to their proximity to the detonation zone. The helicopter located a person in a wooded area who appeared to be deceased. Upon investigation, it is believed that the person died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was the owner of the suspicious package. 

The deceased has been identified as James Froman, 50, of Alexandria. Detectives and crime scene investigators continue to work in the area. The investigation is still in the initial phase but this appears to be a domestic incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Thomas Buckley with the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6837. 


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