Police in Fairfax County, Va., shot and killed a man on Feb. 23 after finding him allegedly stabbing family members inside a Mantua apartment. The suspect’s wife and daughter were pronounced dead; the son‑in‑law was critically injured after intervening. A 1‑year‑old grandchild was unharmed and placed with child protective services. Authorities say the officer fired when a life was in immediate danger and the investigation remains open.
Virginia Father Shot Dead By Police After Allegedly Killing Wife and Daughter; Baby Unharmed
Fairfax police investigating stabbing attack at a Virginia residence.WUSA9/YouTube
Authorities in Fairfax County, Virginia, say a man was fatally shot by police on Feb. 23 after officers arrived to find him actively attacking family members inside a Mantua apartment. The suspect’s wife and daughter were taken to hospital and later pronounced dead, while the son‑in‑law remains in critical condition. A 1‑year‑old grandchild was physically unharmed and has been placed in the care of child protective services.
What Happened
Fairfax County officials said the incident began when two separate 911 calls alerted police to an emergency at a residence where five people lived. According to authorities, the son‑in‑law was outside clearing snow from his car when he heard a disturbance and returned to the apartment. He encountered what Chief Kevin Davis described as a "bloodbath," with the baby in the middle of the scene.
"He hears some type of commotion, rushes back into the apartment and is confronted by the bloodbath of a scene ... the baby right in the middle of it all," Chief Kevin Davis said. "His father‑in‑law butchering his family."
Officials say the father‑in‑law was using a roughly 10‑inch curved blade, described by police as resembling a meat cleaver, and was in the act of stabbing the son‑in‑law when an officer arrived. The responding officer repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop the weapon; when the suspect allegedly refused and a life was in immediate danger, the officer fired, fatally wounding the man, police said.
Victims, Investigation and Next Steps
Police have not released names or exact ages pending notification of next of kin. They said the suspect and his wife were in their 50s, and the daughter and son‑in‑law were in their 30s. Authorities reported there were no prior domestic violence calls at the address. The Fairfax County Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and officials hope to interview the surviving son‑in‑law once he recovers.
Support resources: If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1‑800‑799‑7233 or visit thehotline.org. Calls are toll‑free, confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages.
Help us improve.
