Police seek gunman who shot a 73-year-old man at an ATM

Fairfax County Police are seeking witnesses to what Chief Kevin Davis calls an “outrageous crime”: A 73-year-old man on the way to work was shot at an ATM in the 2900 block of Annandale Road in the Falls Church area early this morning by a would-be robber. 

 

The victim is in the hospital and out of surgery. “He’s on his way to recovery and still in critical condition,” Davis said at a press briefing Oct. 20. “We’re praying for his ability to survive this heinous, disgusting act.” 

The suspect is described as a young African American male, with a slim build. Surveillance video shows he was wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt, gray pants, and what Davis calls “distinctive” white sneakers with thick black laces. He also had a backpack “that appears to be unique.”  

The suspect [FCPD]

The victim, a resident of Falls Church, stopped by the ATM to get some cash at about 5:20 a.m. The video shows he was approached by a man who displayed a revolver and announced a robbery, Davis said. The victim was startled and dropped his wallet, and his credit cards spilled out on the ground. 

The victim attempted to enter a pin number while being held by the bad guy. At that moment, Davis said, “we believe our gunman for no apparent reason whatsoever – there was no struggle, there was no fight, there was no resistance – he just shoots our victim in the chest.” 

The gunman might have fled on foot or jumped in a vehicle, he said. There is a vehicle in the video, and police are particularly interested in finding out whether it belongs to a witness or an accomplice. 

Watch the video from the ATM here. 

It wasn’t until 6:15 a.m. that a passing bicyclist observed the victim lying in the parking lot and called the police. [The crime most likely occurred at the Wells Fargo bank at 2928 Annandale Road, which is temporarily closed.]

There is no reason to think the victim and shooter were known to one another, Davis said. “We don’t believe a cash transaction was completed at that ATM. We don’t think the gunman got away with any cash.” The victim left his car door open, and the gunman didn’t take the car.

The police hope someone can identify the suspect from his shoes and backpack.

Davis believes this was an isolated, random incident and appears to be a crime of opportunity. Police are examining whether recent vehicle tampering incidents are related to this crime, he said, “but there is no pattern of these types of robberies in the area.” 

“Someone knows who this shooter is,” Davis said. “The collective outrage will help us put this shooter behind bars in short order.”

The shooter is considered to be armed and dangerous. Police urge anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Solvers.