Officer fatally shot Virginia man who was ‘butchering his family’ with dagger, police say

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (TCN) -- A man who fatally stabbed his wife and adult daughter and severely injured his son-in-law was shot to death by police, according to authorities. 

WTOP reports police received two 911 calls, including one from the son-in-law, who was outside the home shoveling snow when he heard a disturbance inside. According to WJLA, the other call came from a person in nearby building who heard a domestic-related commotion. When the son-in-law got inside, police say he found “an unimaginable scene of his father-in-law butchering his family,” according to WJLA.

The son-in-law’s wife had been stabbed, and his father-in-law, a man in his mid-50s, was reportedly stabbing his own wife, per WTOP, before turning the knife on his son-in-law. 

Police arrived as the son-in-law was being stabbed, per WJLA. The responding officer repeatedly told the attacker to drop his weapon, but he refused and the officer shot him. CPR was performed but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said, “To describe this scene as bloody is an understatement,” WUSA reports.

The man’s wife and daughter were transported to a hospital and died from their injuries, according to WJLA, and the son-in-law is in critical condition. According to police, there was also a 1-year-old in the home who was unharmed and has been placed with child protective services.

Police described the weapon used as a 10-inch curved dagger that resembled a meat cleaver, according to WJLA.

WJLA also reports police had never been called to the residence for service or domestic violence. According to Davis, “We don’t know yet what turmoil, what strife is happening in their lives, but I can’t imagine anything would compel anyone to butcher a family.”

The officer who fatally shot the man is on modified duty, which is routine, according to WTOP. Davis said 911 audio and body camera video will be released in 30 days.

The names of those involved have not been released.

MORE:
A man fatally stabbed his wife, daughter before police stopped him, officials say — The Washington Post

Man found with ‘Psycho’-style knife allegedly killed sister, elderly parents — True Crime News