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Ron Kirby, director of transportation planning for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, was found murdered in his Alexandria home.

According to the Alexandria police department, Kirby, 69, was found by relatives Monday at 12:30 p.m. He had been shot multiple times. There were reportedly no signs of forced entry.

“All of the officials and employees of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Transportation Planning Board are devastated by the loss of our colleague, Ron Kirby,” a statement from COG executive director Chuck Bean said. “Dr. Kirby, one of the region’s leading experts on transportation planning, was a key figure in all aspects of our work on regional planning and collaboration. He guided the work of the Transportation Planning Board for more than 26 years. His deep knowledge and wise counsel assisted local, state and national officials in reaching consensus on the major transportation issues over the years.

“More importantly, he was a trusted colleague and a dear friend to all of us at the Council and his associates around the region. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family at this difficult time.”

D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, who is vice chairman of COG, also released a statement: “I worked with Ron Kirby for more than 14 years. He was an expert on transportation and respected by transportation leaders across the nation. Few people understood our transportation problems and needs as well as Ron – he was the go-to guy for transportation. His untimely death is not only a personal loss, but an enormous loss for our region.”