Officer shot suspect when he refused commands to drop knife.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — A man accused of stabbing his wife and adult daughter and critically wounding his son-in-law was shot and killed by a Fairfax County police officer who arrived to an active attack early Monday at an apartment complex in the Mantua area, police said.
Police Chief Kevin Davis said officers were dispatched around 5 a.m. to the 3900 block of Persimmon Circle after reports of a domestic disturbance. Investigators are now examining both the killings and the officer-involved shooting that ended the attack. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved and said they are still working to determine what led to the violence inside the apartment.
In Davis’ account, the incident began inside a family’s apartment before daybreak, as snow covered cars and sidewalks outside. The son-in-law stepped out to clear snow off a vehicle, Davis said, when he heard a commotion and rushed back in. He found his wife injured and his father-in-law armed with a large, curved knife, Davis said. “He’s confronted by a bloodbath,” Davis said, describing a chaotic and violent scene with multiple victims and a young child nearby.
Authorities said the suspect, believed to be in his 50s, attacked three relatives with a bladed weapon that police described as a long, curved dagger with about a 10-inch blade, resembling a meat cleaver. The suspect’s wife and daughter suffered stab wounds and later died, Davis said. The wounded son-in-law, who is in his 30s, was taken to a hospital and remained in grave, life-threatening condition Monday. Police said the couple’s 1-year-old baby was inside the apartment during the attack but was not physically harmed.
Davis said the violence continued as officers arrived. He said an officer witnessed the suspect actively stabbing the son-in-law and gave repeated orders to drop the weapon. Davis said the suspect did not comply and kept attacking, prompting the officer to fire. “Not only does he not drop the knife, but he proceeds to stab,” Davis said. Police and rescue personnel attempted lifesaving measures for the suspect, including CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, Davis said.
The response left investigators with a complex case: a fatal domestic assault scene, a critically wounded survivor, and a shooting by an officer in the middle of an emergency. Davis said police leadership reviewed body-worn camera video and believed the officer acted within training to stop an ongoing threat. Police have not said how many shots were fired, where the officer was positioned, or whether additional video from the hallway, building cameras, or nearby residences has been collected. Those details, along with forensic findings, will be part of the investigative file, authorities said.
Detectives spent much of Monday documenting the apartment and interviewing people who may have heard or seen what happened. Davis said at least one neighbor called 911 from a nearby building after hearing the disturbance, in addition to calls connected to the family. Investigators are expected to review dispatch logs, recordings of 911 calls, and the sequence of officers’ arrivals as they build a timeline from the first report through the final moments when the officer fired.
Davis said there were no known prior calls for service at the home for domestic violence, though he cautioned that investigators would verify records and speak with relatives and acquaintances to understand any warning signs. “We don’t know yet what turmoil, what strife is happening in their lives,” he said. Police have not publicly described any earlier disputes, restraining orders, or ongoing family court matters related to the household. They also have not said whether the suspect had any known mental health history or whether there were past reports in other jurisdictions.
Authorities said the 1-year-old child was safe and being cared for by officials while investigators worked to notify relatives and make arrangements. Police did not immediately say whether the child was placed with family members or temporarily put into protective care. Davis said the presence of the child during the violence added to the urgency of stopping the attack and left officers and medics facing an emotionally difficult scene.
Officer-involved shootings typically prompt multiple layers of review, including a criminal investigation into the use of force and a separate administrative review of policy compliance. Davis said the shooting would be examined through the county’s established critical-incident process. Investigators are expected to await autopsy findings and formal identification from the medical examiner, and they may seek additional evidence such as DNA testing, fingerprints, and analysis of the weapon used in the stabbings.
By Monday afternoon, police said the suspect, his wife, and his daughter were dead, while the son-in-law remained hospitalized in critical condition. Davis said investigators plan to release more information after identifications are confirmed and notifications are completed, and after detectives better understand the events that led to the pre-dawn attack.
Author note: Last updated February 23, 2026.