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Hector Amaya

Age : 38

Gender : Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 05/18/2026

Location : 27 Canterbury Square

City : Alexandria

County : Alexandria

State : Virginia

Agency : Alexandria Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during domestic disturbance response

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

n 05/18/2026 at approximately 4:05 a.m., two Alexandria Police Department officers responded to an apartment at 27 Canterbury Square after receiving a 911 report that a woman had been shot inside the residence. When officers arrived, they encountered family members outside the apartment and immediately moved them to safety while gathering information about the incident. Family members told officers that Hector Amaya remained inside the apartment and that his girlfriend, Emily Ramirez, had been shot and was still inside.
Officers approached the apartment doorway, identified themselves as police, and repeatedly ordered Amaya to come out with his hands visible. Amaya refused to comply and remained inside the apartment. According to the department's later critical incident briefing and body-worn camera release, Amaya moved toward the doorway, retreated back inside while concealing his hands, and continued ignoring officers' commands. Officers believed Ramirez remained alive somewhere inside the apartment and were attempting to prevent Amaya from returning to her while also avoiding entering a confined space where he could ambush them.
Police Chief Tarrick McGuire said one officer fired after observing what the officer described as a furtive movement that appeared consistent with attempting to retrieve or access a weapon. Amaya then rapidly advanced toward the officers while extending his arms in a manner that concealed his hands behind what appeared to be a small backpack. As Amaya continued toward the officers, both officers discharged their service weapons, striking him outside the apartment doorway.
After Amaya fell, officers immediately approached, secured him, and rendered emergency medical aid. Officers then entered the apartment and located 27-year-old Emily Ramirez in a bedroom suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers provided lifesaving measures to Ramirez until emergency medical personnel arrived. Amaya and Ramirez were both pronounced dead. Police later determined Ramirez had been fatally shot before officers arrived at the apartment.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the deceased as Hector Amaya, 38, and Emily Ramirez, 27. Police said the two lived together and were involved in a relationship. Investigators recovered a firearm believed to have been associated with the domestic violence incident.
The regional Critical Incident Response Team assumed responsibility for the criminal investigation. Upon completion, investigators will submit the case to the Commonwealth's Attorney for review of the officers' use of deadly force. Alexandria Police Department's Office of Professional Responsibility opened a separate administrative investigation into compliance with departmental policy, while the City's Independent Police Auditor initiated an independent review under Alexandria's civilian police oversight process. The two involved officers were reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of the investigations

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.alxnow.com/2026/05/18/officer-involved-shooting-reported-in-alexandria/
https://www.alexandriava.gov/news-apd/2026-05-18/alexandria-police-officer-involved-shooting-at-canterbury-square-under
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNY4qeOvTvQ