ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WJLA) —18-year-old Alexandria City High School student Luis Mejia Hernandez was killed in a stabbing during a massive brawl outside a McDonald's near the school, Alexandria Police Department said.
Just before 12:30 p.m., officers responded to the Bradlee Shopping Center for the reported fight, police said. When they arrived, they found about 30 to 50 people fighting in the parking lot.
"They moved over here to the bus stop, a larger group of individuals gathered, males and females, and next thing I know a fight breaks out over there in the parking lot and once it breaks out in the parking lot all melee breaks out, and a young man gets stabbed," said David Davis, who witnessed the violent altercation and the fatal stabbing that followed. "It's just sad."
While trying to control the group of teens, police found the 18-year-old victim suffering from a stab wound. The student was taken to an area hospital, where he died.
Cell phone video obtained by WJLA shows an Alexandria police car parked in the midst of the fighting. The video shows young people yelling and punching each other, as some are thrown or stumble to the ground.
Police said they are actively investigating the stabbing, interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance video. No arrests have been made.
"We've got to come together as a community. We have to recognize and protect each other," said Alexandria Police Department Capt. Courtney Ballantine. "We asked that anybody have any information in reference to this incident to please help us so we can put those folks behind -- where they need to be, in custody."
The Bradlee Shopping Center is just a few blocks from Alexandria City High School.
In the immediate aftermath of the stabbing and fight, Alexandria City Public Schools placed the King Street and Minnie Howard Campuses of Alexandria City High School in “secure the building” status.
ACPS said “secure the building” status means that the school day continues on a normal schedule inside the building but no one is allowed to enter or leave the school while the building remains secure. The school lifted the "secure the building status" at 3:15 p.m. At that point, school officials did a staggered dismissal, with students exiting the building in small groups.
"The safety and security of our students and staff are a priority. We will continue to communicate to provide families with the most up-to-date information," the school system told 7News.
David Davis saw it all unfold.
“I want to go over there, but I know if I go over there, my life’s in danger. I’m a father and a grandfather,” Davis said.
To make matters worse, he was there to raise awareness about violence in schools and to try and stop it.
“The blood is on our hands, because we’re not putting the programs in the schools that these kids need so they can have an outlet,” he said.
Business owners are also growing frustrated. One even posted on Facebook in October saying in part, “I’m so upset this wonderful shopping center has been reduced to shootings and gangs.”
Alexandria City High officials sent this message to families about the staggered dismissal:
"Due to an ongoing police investigation of an incident off-campus, the secure the building status at the King Street and Minnie Howard Campuses of Alexandria City High School (ACHS) will not be lifted until 3:15 p.m. this afternoon, May 24, 2022. This decision is being made out of an abundance of caution for the safety and security of our students and staff. Please refrain from coming to pick up your students prior to 3:15 p.m. Families who pick up their students from school at the regular time should expect delays.
In addition, we will be conducting a staggered afternoon dismissal of students today starting at 3:15 p.m. This means that students will be dismissed in smaller groups and led by staff to exit the school building. Please expect delays and note that students may get home from school later than usual. All after-school activities are also canceled and ACHS students are expected to go home immediately after dismissal.
The safety and security of our students and staff is the most important priority. Thank you for your partnership and patience while we focus on getting students and staff out of the building in a safe and timely manner.
We will continue to communicate to provide families with the most up-to-date information."
The Bradlee shopping center and the McDonald's restaurant that's located there is a place where students from the high school are known to congregate, particularly during the lunchtime hour and after school.
WJLA has previously reported on fights outside the McDonald's, including a September 2021 fight in which an Alexandria City High School student was shot and injured, but survived. 7News asked police what's being done to address the ongoing security and safety concerns at the shopping center.
"We have been working with this shopping center specifically to identify ways to improve security, and I believe they've also provided some additional security as well," Ballantine said.
City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson released a statement following the fatal stabbing:
"An [ACPS] student lost his life in an act of violence. Our most sacred obligation is to keep kids safe. Nothing is more important. This is an active investigation and [Alexandria Police Department] is seeking help from anyone with information."
During the Alexandria City Council meeting Tuesday night, officials started with a moment of silence. Wilson also spoke during the meeting regarding the stabbing as well as the deadly Texas elementary school shooting:
"A heavy day as we begin with a moment of silence. Today an 18-year-old student at Alexandria City high school did not go home to his parents. And I can’t think of a more horrific thing that can happen in this world. That was this afternoon and then later in the day, 13 kids in Texas didn’t go home to their parents," Wilson said. "As we rise and begin with a moment of silence let’s try to keep all the families of these people who’ve lost their lives in our thoughts and try to understand how we can comprehend it and then try to figure out how we end it."
Police are still investigating the incident, and are asking anyone who may have information related to this case to contact APD Detective Christine Escobar via phone at 703.746.6819, email at Christine.Escobar@alexandriava.gov, or call the non-emergency line at 703.746.4444. Tips can be anonymous.
Peter Balas, Executive Principal of Alexandria City High School, penned the following letter on Tuesday evening:
Dear Titan Students, Families, and Friends,
Today is a day of great sadness at Alexandria City High School (ACHS). I am saddened to share with you the news of the passing of one of our Titan seniors from the Class of 2022, Luis Mejia Hernandez. Luis died today, May 24, 2022 and he will be greatly missed by the Titan community, especially in the International Academy.
Today, the administrative and support teams met with teachers and staff who work with Luis. In addition, the administration met with all ACHS staff at the end of the school day to discuss the incidents of the day. On behalf of the entire Titan staff, I would like to express our deepest condolences and sympathies to Luis’ family and loved ones. Luis will be deeply missed, and will always and forever be a Titan.
At ACHS, we are working to put supports in place for our students and staff with the ACPS Department of Student Services and Equity and the Department of Human Resources. And, students can always reach out to a counselor, administrator or any trusted adult in ACHS if they are in need of help. Our Titans can also reach out to CrisisText and Crisis Link at any time, 24/7, through the contacts below:
Text: CONNECT to 85511
Call CrisisLink: 703-527-4077
Also, we will have students at all four campuses of ACHS transition to asynchronous virtual learning for Wed. May 25, 2022. All ACHS students should log into their accounts in Canvas or Clever for information specific to their courses.
Transitioning to virtual learning for our students tomorrow will allow our school community the time and space to grieve and process this loss. We will have support team members from the schools, Department of Student Services & Equity and the City’s Department of Community and Human Services available on site for anyone who needs that support.
I am here for you all if you need anything.
Sincerely,
Peter Balas, Executive Principal
Alexandria City High School