Fairfax County police have identified the suspect and victims in a domestic-related stabbing in Mantua that left three people dead and another hospitalized and ended with an officer-involved shooting, police said Wednesday.
In a statement, the Fairfax County Police Department said officers responded about 5:06 a.m. Monday, February 23, to the 3900 block of Persimmon Drive for a reported assault involving two victims.
Police said they found an adult woman outside an apartment suffering from stab wounds. Officers entered the residence and encountered Chhatra Thapa, 54, of Fairfax, armed with a knife and kneeling over an adult male victim inside the home, police said. A second adult woman inside the apartment also had stab wounds, police said.
Officers gave repeated commands for Thapa to drop the knife, police said. When he did not comply and the assault continued, an officer fired, striking Thapa, the department said. Police said officers rendered medical aid until Fairfax County Fire and Rescue arrived, but Thapa was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police identified the women who died as Mamta Thapa, 33, and Binda Thapa, 52, both of Fairfax. The department said they were taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead. The adult male victim was taken to a hospital in life-threatening condition and remains hospitalized, police said.
Police said a 1-year-old boy was inside the residence and was unharmed. Detectives took the child into protective custody, and police said victim services staff, working with Child Protective Services, arranged an appropriate family placement.
The officer who fired is a 2.5-year veteran assigned to the Mason District and has been placed on restricted duty while investigations continue, police said. The Major Crimes Bureau is investigating the use of force, while Internal Affairs is conducting a separate administrative review that will also be reviewed by the Independent Police Auditor.
The findings of the criminal investigation will be presented to the Commonwealth Attorney, and the body-worn camera footage will be released within 30 days, with the officer’s name released within 10 days, the FCPD said. However, the police stated that the information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues.
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