Fairfax, VA — A knife-wielding woman was fatally shot by a police officer in Fairfax, Virginia, authorities reported Tuesday. The incident, which occurred in a residential area, escalated quickly as officers responded to a call from a homeowner reporting a domestic disturbance.
Upon arrival, police were confronted by the woman who, according to Chief of Police Erin Schaible, was actively attacking another individual with a knife. Officers attempted to deescalate the situation using non-lethal force before ultimately discharging their weapons when the woman did not comply with commands to drop the knife.
“This situation rapidly evolved and the responding officers had to make a split-second decision to protect the life of the victim,” Chief Schaible said during a press briefing.
The woman, whose identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin, died at the scene despite immediate medical attention. The person targeted in her attack sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Fairfax County Police Department has launched a full investigation into the shooting, which will include a review of body camera footage from the officers involved. In line with department policy regarding police-involved shootings, the officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave.
Reactions in the community have been mixed as residents grapple with the fatal outcome. Some locals express support for the police, emphasizing the danger they sometimes face in domestic disturbances. Others voice concerns about the use of lethal force, raising questions about the tactics employed prior to the shooting.
Local authorities are calling for patience and calm as the investigation proceeds. “We are committed to transparency and will share findings once the investigation is complete,” said Chief Schaible. “It’s crucial that we gather all facts and understand the sequence of events that led to this tragic outcome.”
This incident adds to the nationwide discourse on police response to domestic disturbances and the systemic factors influencing both police behavior and public safety.
Fairfax officials plan to hold a community forum to address public concerns and discuss strategies for crisis intervention that prioritize deescalation and safety. The forum hopes to foster better communication between law enforcement and the community they serve, aiming to prevent such incidents in the future.