Northern Virginia couple identified after murder-suicide in Centreville home

CENTREVILLE, Va. - A husband and wife were found dead in a Northern Virginia home Wednesday following a domestic-related murder-suicide, according to Fairfax County police. 

What we know:

Officers found Brandon Brown, 31, and his wife Lavinia Brown, 31, dead in their home in the 6300 block of Sharps Drive in Centreville around 5:30 p.m. Both had apparent gunshot wounds to the upper body, police said. 

Detectives believe that Brandon shot Lavinia before shooting himself. Cartridge casings and a firearm were found at the scene. 

Police said the couple’s three young children were inside the home when the shooting happened. Investigators said the children contacted a family member who lives nearby, and that family member then called 911.

The children were not injured and are now staying with extended family, according to police.

Detectives remained on the scene for hours Wednesday night, moving in and out of the townhome as police cordoned off the cul-de-sac and continued processing the scene.

What they're saying:

Neighbors returning home expressed shock over the large police presence and the deaths in a neighborhood they described as quiet and family-oriented.

"Absolutely tragic for me, especially in this neighborhood here in Centreville," neighbor Kareem Badr said. "Everyone thinks it’s safe. We’ve never had any kind of altercations here. … I can’t imagine what those kids are going through, and I just hope they have a supportive family."

Neighbor Carla Acosta said she was "heartbroken," adding that the situation was traumatic for the family and those who knew them.

Another neighbor said, "I feel heartbroken for the family, for the kids. … this doesn’t happen here, not here, not in this neighborhood."

Police have not said who fired the shots or released additional details about what led up to the shooting. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.

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