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Merrimack High School Marks Death of Police Officer (Update)

WOODBRIDGE, Va. (AP) - The principal of Merrimack High School said a moment of silence will be held in honor of Ashley Guindon, the Virginia police officer who was shot and killed by a suspect after she responded to a domestic violence call at the suspect's home.

Principal Ken Johnson said in a letter to the school board and staff that he had "sad and tragic news, the loss of a student."

Guindon, 28, was a 2005 graduate of the high school.

Guindon was one of three officers shot. The other two officers are expected to recover.

Ronald Hamilton, 32, of Woodbridge, Virginia, is in jailed on murder charges and faces arraignment Monday.

The Army Staff Sergeant and Pentgon employee is accused of killing not only Guindon but also his 29-year-old wife, Crystal Hamilton.

Death Penalty

Paul Ebert, Commonwealth's Attorney for Prince William County
Credit official photo

Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert has said he'll likely seek the death penalty against Hamilton, who is being held without bond on charges including capital murder, first-degree murder and malicious wounding.
 
Prince William County Police Chief Stephan Hudson says Hamilton and his wife, Crystal, had been arguing all day Saturday, but it escalated after she called 911. He says Hamilton fatally shot his wife and then fired at the arriving officers, killing Officer Ashley Guindon and seriously wounding two others before he surrendered.

     
 

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Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.