Police have arrested a man in connection with two separate Metrorail station attacks that took place on Friday, May 30. Jeff Gary, 35, is being held without bond on multiple felony charges.
NBC4 reported that Gary has a law degree from Georgetown University, where he graduated with honors. According to the criminal complaint, he was working at the Federal Communications Commission as an assistant division chief. An FCC spokesperson told NBC4, “Upon hearing of this disturbing incident we took immediate action against this employee. His employment with the agency will be terminated.”
Two Separate Metro Station Attacks
According to a release, investigators confirmed that Gary is the suspect in the two separate attacks on women. One took place at the Potomac Yard Metro Station, and the other near the Braddock Metro Station.
According to NBC4, at the Potomac Yard Metro Station attack, the victim was on the upper level of the platform with her young daughter. She told police a man approached her, wrapped her up with his arms, pushed her up against the glass and started touching her. She said her daughter took her juice box and started pouring it on the man attacking her. The victim told police the man didn’t leave until another adult walked up.
About an hour later, around 9:40 p.m., a woman in her mid-30s was walking in the 1100 block of Madison St. after leaving the Braddock Metro Station. She was approached from behind by a man who grabbed her and wrestled her to the ground. She resisted, shoved the suspect away, and ran to safety before calling 911.
At a June 1 press conference, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire addressed the incidents. “Acts of violence — especially those targeting law-abiding residents — leave a deep psychological impact on the community and are absolutely intolerable. To the victims, we offer our unwavering support: you are not alone. We commend the courage of those who have come forward, allowing us to remove a dangerous individual from our streets. To the person responsible, your actions were cowardly, and our pursuit of justice will be swift, focused, and unrelenting,” McGuire said.
Gary currently faces charges for assault and battery, sexual battery, and two counts of abduction with force. Law enforcement is asking anyone who may have encountered Gary or been the victim of a similar incident to contact local police or call the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center hotline at 703-683-7273.
Feature image, doganmesut/stock.adobe.com
