2 dead after stabbing, officer-involved shooting on I-495 in Fairfax County

2 dead after stabbing, officer-involved shooting on I-495 in Fairfax County

An officer-involved shooting on Interstate 495 Sunday afternoon led to a full closure of southbound lanes in Fairfax County and left multiple people dead, according to the Virginia State Police.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - An officer-involved shooting on Interstate 495 Sunday afternoon led to a full closure of southbound lanes in Fairfax County and left multiple people dead, according to the Virginia State Police.

What we know:

The incident occurred on March 1 near Exit 52 on Interstate 495 southbound. Authorities said a state trooper was dispatched around 1:17 p.m. following reports of a road rage incident.

When the trooper arrived at the scene, he was confronted by a male suspect armed with a knife, police said. The trooper discharged his firearm in what authorities described as self-defense. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries but later succumbed to those injuries. The trooper was not injured during the encounter.

Responding officers discovered four individuals who had been stabbed at the scene, according to state police. One victim, a 39-year-old woman, later died from her injuries. The conditions of the remaining victims have not yet been released. Authorities also confirmed that a dog was stabbed and died at the scene.

Preliminary findings indicate the stabbings occurred after the crash. 

Road closures following incident 

Local perspective:

Police activity prompted the closure of all southbound lanes of Interstate 495 between Gallows Road and Little River Turnpike. Traffic has been diverted at Exit 50A onto Route 29/Route 50, causing significant delays throughout the area.

Virginia State Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available. The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Fairfax Field Office is leading the investigation.