The City of Alexandria Informs Citizens about Recent Investigation
February 1, 2024
Alexandria, Louisiana—On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, the Alexandria Police Department (“APD”) responded to multiple shots fired, ultimately developing into four (4) crime scenes being worked involving gun violence, with preliminary indications of linkage and/or retaliation (if linked, what we will call a “dynamic crime scene”). It is too early to make substantive comments without jeopardizing the integrity of investigations. All preliminary leads are subject to change or even withdrawal of any considered linkage.
APD will run every lead—hard.
Initial After-Incident Information:
- APD responded immediately to calls in Alexandria.
- The incidents possibly are narcotics-related with retaliation.
- APD resourced these investigations at the highest level and no life-threatening injuries exist at this time.
- After initial investigation, APD can report 5 victims from incidents. We are withholding location information at this time for investigative value. We will report this information at the appropriate time.
- The determinations made in real time revealed the incident likely was dynamic, one or more related incidents moving around the city; the public risk was mitigated; and therefore the approach was limiting investigative leads and disclosure of special tactics until an after-incident report. This release is the first such report.
Communication Internal Assessment: The City must continue to weigh when, in similar events, an earlier release of information may be permitted when active shooting or the risk of mass casualty has subsided. In weighing this, however, APD shall consider an early release can change the dynamics by giving information to the suspect(s). The City will consider a quicker disclosure of the linkage of two or more related events. Such a disclosure must weigh when public risk truly is determined to have ended. Again, the City must balance investigative information that could be used in dynamic events against the risk suspects will gain from it more than the public benefits from the release.
Glossary:
By “spontaneous” we mean without warning or the chance to mitigate by law enforcement or citizens; by “active” we mean at the time shots were fired, shots were multiple in nature and likely could/would continue regarding citizens or law enforcement; and by “dynamic” we mean the crime scene and activities surrounding it were actively moving from one place to another, with continued risk of active weapons capable of deadly force.
By “risk of continued active shooting or mass casualty” we mean those circumstances in which law enforcement has information multiple injuries or deaths are due to, or likely could result from, the use of a deadly weapon. Law enforcement may further consider when such a weapon has been or could be used to harm multiple people, especially when those harms can be inflicted quickly based on firepower or multiple suspects.
During information releases when a crime scene or scenes are “dynamic,” we consider how to do the least harm. Our first test is to balance information the public needs to protect itself from a continuing threat against that same information being used to increase threats to citizens or law enforcement. Today, modern social media can provide suspects with real-time information that could be used against law enforcement. Our releases will follow an assessment of those risks made in the context of what we know at the time: the likelihood and gravity of any danger to the public weighed against its mitigation and doing no harm to the public.
Media Policy:
In general, the City of Alexandria’s “do no harm” rule means the City will consider these two concerns, first:
- What information is crucial to convey in initial messages in order to prompt appropriate public responses after a crisis situation?
- What are the messages to be delivered prior to, during, and after an incident?
