Crime & Safety

Shooting Victim Ruthanne Lodato was Mother of 3, Music Teacher in Alexandria

Lodato died Thursday after being shot at her home by an unknown gunman who is still at large.

Music teacher Ruthanne Lodato, 59, died Thursday after she was shot at her home on Ridge Road Drive, according to Alexandria police. She died later at the hospital, police said. 

"This is a sad day in the City of Alexandria," said Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille. "We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Ruthanne Lodato, and our thoughts are with the victims of the Ridge Road Drive shootings. I am confident that the Alexandria Police Department will work swiftly to apprehend the person who committed this horrible crime."

Police were searching for an elderly unidentified white male with gray hair and a small beard, who was still at large Thursday evening.

Lodato, the mother of three children, was the director of Music Together in Alexandria. Classes were often held at Del Ray United Methodist Church and at Chinquapin Rec Center. Lodato held a B.A. degree in Music Education and an M.M. in Piano Pedagogy. She taught at Music Together® for the past 20 years.

Lodato has been teaching music in Alexandria-area schools since 1976, including at Blessed Sacrament Early Childhood Center and Valley Drive Preschool.

She was a piano teacher as well as a church organist. 

The investigation is ongoing and very active. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Alexandria Police Department at (703) 746.6864.

(We've updated the story with a comment from Mayor Bill Euille.)


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