A tragic domestic incident unfolded in Fairfax, Virginia, where a 54-year-old man allegedly attacked members of his own family before being shot by responding officers, authorities confirmed.
Police identified the suspect as Chhatra Thapa. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, February 23, inside the family’s home, where several relatives — including a one-year-old child — were present.
According to Fairfax County Police Department, officers were dispatched shortly after 5 a.m. following an emergency call reporting a violent domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they discovered Thapa’s wife, 52-year-old Binda Thapa, and the couple’s 33-year-old daughter, Mamta Thapa, with critical injuries.
Authorities said the suspect was also attacking his son-in-law when officers entered the residence. Police ordered him to drop the weapon, but he allegedly refused to comply. Officers then discharged their firearms, fatally wounding him at the scene.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis described the situation as deeply distressing during a press briefing, noting that investigators encountered a chaotic and devastating scene.
Emergency responders transported the injured family members to a nearby hospital, where Binda and Mamta were later pronounced dead. The son-in-law survived and remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Officials confirmed that the couple’s one-year-old grandson, who was inside the home at the time of the attack, was found unharmed.
Preliminary information suggests the son-in-law had been outside clearing snow when he became aware that something was wrong inside the house. He rushed back in, discovered the injuries, and contacted emergency services.
Investigators say the motive behind the violence remains unclear, and authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the incident. The case is being handled as an active investigation, with officials working to piece together the sequence of events.
