Former Student Charged in Fight Outside Arlington Career Center

Jimmy Salazar-Alfaro, 24, of Arlington, has been charged with simple assault following a fight Tuesday outside of the Arlington Career Center, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive.

The altercation occurred on a sidewalk on South Highland Street, not on school grounds, Arlington police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said.

At about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Salazar-Alfaro drove past a group of students several times, and on one trip recognized someone he'd encountered in the past, Sternbeck said. Salazar-Alfaro is a former student at the center, according to police.

He stopped the car, got out and approached the man he recognized.

"He said he had a gun, took a swing and missed, and that's when the fight ensued," Sternbeck said. "He made threatening remarks as he approached the subject."

Investigators haven't said what the fight was about.

Career Center personnel were notified. Their security guards responded and broke up the fight, Sternbeck said.

Security was informed Salazar-Alfaro had a weapon -- the gun was tucked under the waistband of his pants -- and they confiscated it from him. Both men were taken into the Career Center until police arrived.

Salazar-Alfaro had a valid concealed weapons permit, Sternbeck said.

Both men sustained "very minor injuries" and didn't require medical attention, he said.

Salazar-Alfaro was released on a summons to appear in court, according to the Arlington County Sheriff's Office.