Early Monday morning, February 23, 2026, Fairfax County police responded to a violent domestic incident in the Mantua neighborhood of Fairfax, Virginia. Officers were dispatched to the 3900 block of Persimmon Circle after receiving reports of a stabbing inside a residence. When they arrived, they discovered a chaotic and tragic scene that had already claimed one life and left two others critically injured.
Authorities confirmed that a woman was found dead inside the home from stab wounds, while two other adults were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The victims’ identities have not yet been released, pending notification of family members. Police described the incident as domestic-related, noting that the suspect was armed with a knife when officers encountered him outside the residence.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the suspect refused to comply with commands to drop the weapon. An officer discharged his firearm, striking the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not yet released the suspect’s name, but they confirmed that he was directly connected to the domestic incident inside the home.
The investigation is being handled by the department’s Major Crimes Bureau, with oversight from the Internal Affairs Bureau to review the officer-involved shooting. Detectives are working to piece together the timeline of events leading up to the attack, including what may have triggered the violence. Police have emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public, as the suspect was neutralized at the scene.
Neighbors reported being startled by the heavy police presence in the quiet Mantua community, which is known for its residential character and proximity to schools and parks. More than a dozen police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks were observed in the area as authorities secured the scene and began their investigation. Residents expressed shock at the violence, describing the neighborhood as typically peaceful.
As the investigation continues, Fairfax County Police have pledged transparency and thoroughness in both the homicide and officer-involved shooting aspects of the case. The community is left grappling with the devastating loss of life and the critical injuries sustained by two victims, while officials work to provide answers and support to the families affected by the tragedy.
