Suspect in shooting of Alexandria bakery workers kills himself

A 19-year-old part-time employee died after being shot Friday night in a popular Alexandria bakery in what appeared to be the last homicide in the Washington metropolitan area since the recent snowstorm began.

The victim, Kossi Djossou, who was living with his family in Fairfax County, died after being shot at the Gold Crust Baking Co. in the 500 block of East Monroe Avenue in Alexandria's Del Ray community. A second person was also found shot at the scene and taken to a hospital.

Police said a suspect was located several hours later. When approached, the police said, he shot and killed himself. The suspect was not identified, pending notification of relatives.

No motive in the incident was given by the police. Police spokeswoman Ashley Hildebrandt would say only that the investigation was ongoing.

Rob Krupicka, a member of the Alexandria City Council who is a Del Ray resident, said he thought that employees were involved in the incident but knew no details.

However, the slain man's father said Monday night that he understood the wounded shooting victim was a woman and that jealousy might have prompted the gunfire.

The father, Geoffrey Djossou, said he had been told by an investigator that the suspect, who also worked at the bakery, "was possessive" and might have resented any contact between his son and the other victim.

He said he understood that the female victim "was trying to break up" with the suspect, who he said "was kind of jealous."

Geoffrey Djossou said his son came to the United States a little more than a year ago from Togo.

He said his son was taking courses at a community college toward a business degree and worked part time at the bakery. Bakery officials could not be reached Monday night.

Djossou called his son quiet, "very, very respectful" and "very, very polite," describing him also as a conscientious student.

His son, he said, "was always very friendly to everybody."

Police said they were called to the bakery in response to a report of shots. They canvassed the area and several hours later found the suspect.

The shooting at the bakery, which Krupicka described as "an incredibly well-run place," occurred just before the snow moved into the heart of the metropolitan area.

Djossou said he understood that the suspect had been walking and just before he shot himself, "he fell in the snow." Police declined to discuss details of the confrontation between officers and the suspect.

The slaying was the fifth this year in Alexandria, police said.