Alexandria community troubled after rape of lifeguard while on duty

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - An abduction and rape of a lifeguard in the middle of the day at a condominium pool has an Alexandria community rattled.

It happened Saturday at around 2 p.m. in the 200 block of S. Pickett Street. There are still no leads on the suspect, but police are keeping extra patrols in the area.

The 24-year-old woman reported to police that she was attacked by a stranger with a gun. The male suspect forced the woman into the pool house building and raped her.

Police said the suspect fled after the sexual assault and there were no residents around at the pool at the time because it was overcast outside.

"I saw the lifeguard at around 12 o'clock when I was walking my dog and she was just opening, doing her regular routine," said resident John Son. "That's even more shocking because I saw her earlier that day about two hours before around 12 o'clock and for that to happen just right after I walk my dog, it's just unbelievable."

"I walk my dog day and night, which I will stop doing," said Tonya Anderson. "I won't be doing anymore night walks. But you feel comfortable. It's our community. We know each other. You know your neighbors. I know that we are in a city, but we are enclosed and we kind a have a community, so it was definitely sad to hear about it."

Anderson is taking extra precautions after learning about the incident.

"I am walking with my mace, which I never did it during the day, but this happened at 2 o'clock, so I feel scared now," she told us.

Police are working on a sketch of the suspect based on what the victim has told them. They said the sketch should be released in the next few days.

The suspect has been described as a white male in his mid-30s, tall and thin, with short hair and dark eyes. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, light-colored jeans and a blue baseball cap during the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to call Alexandria police at 703-746-6613.