Soldier accused of killing police officer on her first shift

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — An Army sergeant killed his wife following a day-long domestic dispute and then fatally shot a responding police officer working her first shift on the job, police said Sunday.

Sgt. Ronald Hamilton, 32, faced two counts of murder, two counts of assault and weapons offenses after the shooting spree Saturday that also left two other officers wounded.

Officer Ashley Guindon, 28, had joined the force in ceremonies Friday, Prince William County Police Chief Steve Hudson said. He said the officers were responding to a 911 call from Hamilton's wife, Crystal, when they approached the front door.

"The subject opened fire," Hudson said. He said all three sustained critical wounds and that Hamilton surrendered to additional officers that responded.

The second wave of officers also provided emergency treatment to the wounded officers until emergency medical responders arrived. Guindon died later Saturday, Hudson said. The wounded officers are Guindon's field training officer, David McKeown, 33, and Jesse Hempen, 31. They received non-life-threatening injuries, Hudson said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones after this sad and senseless death," Hudson said.

The body of Crystal Hamilton, 29, was found inside the home, along with the couple's uninjured 11-year-old son. The boy was being cared for by relatives, Hudson said.

Guindon had briefly been a county police officer a short time ago but left for personal reasons during training, Hudson said. She reapplied and was rehired.

"She clearly had a passion to serve others," Hudson said.

Guindon had a master's degree in forensic science and once served as an intern for the police department, Hudson said. She held a degree in forensic science.

Neighbors say they heard gunshots, and one person said they heard an officer yell "come out with your hands up." A woman who said she was visiting a neighbor in the area of the shooting told The Washington Post she heard loud sounds but couldn't believe it was a shooting.

“We never thought it could be shots,” Maritza Gutierrez told the Post, adding that she heard "boom, boom, boom, something like that ... very quick."

The police department announced the arrival of two new officers to the force in a tweet Friday: "Welcome Officers Steven Kendall & Ashley Guindon who were sworn in today & begin their shifts this weekend. Be safe!"

Contributing: WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C.