Crime & Safety

Ruthanne Lodato Homicide: Alexandria Police Chief, Mayor Attempt to Reassure Community

Suspect is still at large; officials address idea of "serial killer" with three unsolved murders in Alexandria.

Alexandria Chief of Police Earl Cook and Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, in a news conference Friday, attempted to reassure the community that police are doing everything they can to solve Thursday's homicide and to protect the citizens of Alexandria.

"Yesterday we were shocked by the tragic events unfolding on Ridge Road Drive," said Euille. "Today, we grieve and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends to Ruthanne Lodato, a beloved music teacher who touched many lives in this city. Our thoughts are also with the other victim [a caretaker was shot and is in the hospital] of this senseless crime."

"For me personally, I knew her family, her relatives, as a lifelong resident of this city," the mayor said.

Alexandria music teacher Ruthanne Lodato died at the hospital Thursday after she was shot at about 11:30 a.m. answering the door of her home on Ridge Road Drive in Alexandria; a caretaker was wounded and is in the hospital. A grandmother was reportedly also at the scene but was not hurt.

The shooter is on the loose and police said there have been no sightings of the man. The chief described him as an older white male, balding with gray hair, a full beard and wearing a tan jacket. No age range was given. Police hope to soon have a sketch of the man in hopes someone might recognize him, the police chief said.

Police are waiting for the other victim in the shooting, described as a caretaker, to become medically stable before interviewing her again. She was reportedly shot in the arm.

Police are also waiting to interview family members who are grieving, to see if they might know of any possible reasons someone would target Lodato, the police chief said.

Reporters at Friday's news conference addressed the possibility of there being a "serial killer" on the loose who is targeting people in their homes in the area, after the unsolved murders last year of Ron Kirby and in 2003, of Nancy Dunning. Both were, like Lodato, fairly high-profile citizens who were well-liked and well-known in the community. All were shot in their homes during the day.

"I have a high level of confidence in our public safety folks to investigate and find the person who committed this act," the mayor said. "Residents have a right to be concerned but I don't want them thinking there is a serial killer on the loose."

"We want folks to not be afraid to be out and about," he said, although he urged residents to be aware of their surroundings and take the usual precautions.

The police chief said right now there is no evidence linking the murders but said police are open to looking at similarities in the cases.

"We have received a large number of tips" regarding Thursday's shooting, the chief said, and encouraged anyone else who knows anything to call (703) 746-6864. Callers may remain anonymous.


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