Pentagon employee suspected in killing of rookie officer Ashley Guindon, wife held without bail

Image 1 of 3

Ronald Hamilton. 

(AP) -- An Army staff sergeant charged with killing his wife and a northern Virginia police officer who was on her first day on the job is being held without bail. 

Hamilton is accused of shooting and killing Officer Ashley Guindon after she answered a domestic violence call at the Hamilton home Saturday evening. Two other officers were hospitalized with injuries.

Hamilton is an active duty Army staff sergeant assigned to the Joint Staff Support Center at the Pentagon, according to Cindy Your, a Defense Information Systems Agency spokeswoman based at Fort Meade, Maryland.

The shooting occurred Saturday evening at Hamilton's home in Woodbridge. Hudson said Hamilton and his wife, Crystal, were arguing and she called 911.

Crystal Hamilton, 29, was also fatally shot by her husband before police arrived, Hudson said. The officers were shot shortly after their arrival, and when additional officers arrived, Hamilton surrendered and came out the front door of the house.

CRYSTAL HAMILTON (PHOTO CREDIT: INSIDENOVA.COM)

Police said their 11-year-old son was at home at the time of the shootings. He is now being cared for by relatives. Police recovered two guns from the scene: a handgun and a rifle.

The injured officers were identified as Jesse Hempen, 31, an eight-year veteran of department; and David McKeown, 33, a 10-year veteran. They are expected to recover, Hudson said. Details about their injuries were not released.

Officer Brandon Carpenter at the county's adult detention center says Hamilton is being held without bond at the jail on charges that include murder of a law enforcement officer, first-degree murder charge, two counts of malicious assault and two counts of use of a firearm during a felony.

Hamilton is scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning.

At Inova Fairfax Hospital, where the three officers were flown by helicopter after the shooting, more than 100 patrol cars lined the roads outside early Sunday morning to stand vigil. 

On Sunday night, a vigil was held at the county complex honoring Officer Guindon. Hundreds turned out to pay their respects. 

___

AP writer Lynn Tuohy contributed from Concord, New Hampshire.

 


MORE COVERAGE:

Funeral services held for fallen Officer Ashley Guindon

PHOTOS: Funeral services for fallen Prince William Co. Officer Ashley Guindon

Police procession lights up sky in tribute to fallen Prince William Co. officer

PHOTOS: Police procession for Officer Ashley Guindon

Woodbridge shooting reignites discussions on domestic violence

Victim's family: Murder suspect 'couldn't have asked for a better wife'

Suspect in murders of wife, rookie Prince William Co. police officer held without bond

Rookie officer killed in the line of duty remembered for her "passion" for job

Memorial pays tribute to shooting suspect's slain wife: "God's new angel"

Pentagon says employee is suspect in killing of rookie officer Ashley Guindon

How to honor fallen officer Ashley Guindon

Prince William Co. police officer killed in shooting on first day on job