Jared Serre | FFXnow

Former soldier at Fort Belvoir pleads guilty to assaulting, permanently injuring baby

Published June 2, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated June 3, 2025 at 2:51PM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A former U.S. Army soldier is facing a possible sentence of life in prison for shaking his newborn baby twice and sexually assaulting her mother when he was stationed in Fort Belvoir more than a decade ago.

Austin Blair Johnson pleaded guilty last Friday (May 30) to sexual abuse and two counts of assault — one of which led to the permanent disability of a baby, the U.S. Department of Justice announced in a press release.

Around Town

New ‘membership-first’ veterinary clinic now open in McLean

By Jared Serre

Published June 2, 2025 at 10:00AM

Inside Small Door Veterinary's location in McLean (courtesy of Small Door Veterinary)

A “membership-first” veterinary practice opened its doors in McLean for the first time today (Monday).

Transparency and convenience are the ideas behind Small Door Veterinary, which settled on Chesterbrook Shopping Center for its first Virginia location.

Around Town

Hayfield Shopping Center welcomes authentic Mexican taqueria

By Jared Serre

Published May 30, 2025 at 3:45PM

El Fogon in Kingstowne (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Hungry customers seeking the flavors of Mexico have a new spot to try in Kingstowne’s Hayfield Shopping Center.

El Fogon Taqueria officially opened its doors in the shopping center this spring with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 8, replacing the former Kochix restaurant at 7554 Telegraph Road.

Countywide

Democratic lieutenant governor candidates have mixed views on a Tysons casino

By Angela Woolsey and Jared Serre

Published May 23, 2025 at 2:45PM

Democratic lieutenant governor candidates share their thoughts on a Tysons casino and gaming in a televised debate on May 22, 2025 (via WJLA 7News)

With early voting in the June 17 Democratic primary underway, Fairfax County residents might be curious where the politicians on the ballot stand on the prospect of a casino development in Tysons.

Fortunately, the topic was one of the first to crop up last night (Thursday) during a televised debate between the six lieutenant governor candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination — right after a discussion about how they would protect Virginia’s economy and help workers affected by the Trump administration’s federal government cuts.

News

Released body camera video shows police, driver trading gunfire in Fair Oaks

By Jared Serre

Published May 23, 2025 at 1:45PM

In-car video shows police officers during a traffic stop in Fair Oaks of Jamal Wali, who was fatally shot after firing a gun at the officers (via FCPD/YouTube)

Fairfax County police released body-worn camera footage today (Friday) that captured last month’s fatal police shooting outside Greenbriar Town Center in Fair Oaks.

The shooting on April 23 resulted in the death of a Fairfax man and injuries to two police officers, who sustained gunshot wounds.

Around Town

Buzzy coffee shop Shotted closes temporarily at Tysons Corner Center

By Jared Serre

Published May 23, 2025 at 9:15AM

Shotted's second-floor storefront at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A wildly popular local coffee shop is moving once again to a larger location within Tysons Corner Center.

The second-floor storefront for Shotted closed earlier this month ahead of the move, which was partly necessitated by ongoing updates to the sprawling mall’s layout.

Countywide

What to expect from a special election to replace late Rep. Gerry Connolly

By Jared Serre

Published May 22, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated May 22, 2025 at 9:50PM

Election signs outside the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Jared Serre)

In an election year dominated by state offices, Fairfax County voters now face the prospect of also electing a new lawmaker to represent them in Congress.

Following the death of longtime Rep. Gerry Connolly yesterday (Wednesday), voters will soon need to select a new representative for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District — a critical decision given the Republican Party’s slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

News

UPDATED: Shooting at CIA HQ in McLean under investigation

By Angela Woolsey and Jared Serre

Published May 22, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated May 22, 2025 at 5:14PM

The CIA seal next to a U.S. flag at the agency's Langley headquarters (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

A person was shot this morning (Thursday) at the CIA’s headquarters in McLean.

Patrol officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Dolley Madison Blvd shortly before 4 a.m. to assist CIA Police with managing traffic after a “non-fatal shooting” on the intelligence agency’s property, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Countywide

JUST IN: AG Miyares accuses FCPS of anti-Asian discrimination in TJ admissions

By Jared Serre

Published May 21, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated May 21, 2025 at 3:32PM

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The battle over Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s student admissions policy isn’t quite over after all.

More than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court passed on an opportunity to weigh in, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares accused Fairfax County Public Schools today (Wednesday) of “intentional” discrimination against Asian American students applying to the magnet school in Annandale.

Countywide

BREAKING: Rep. Gerry Connolly, longtime Fairfax politician, dies

By Jared Serre

Published May 21, 2025 at 9:05AM | Updated February 5, 2026 at 7:38PM

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (photo courtesy Congressional office)

Rep. Gerald “Gerry” Connolly, an influential Democratic voice for nearly 30 years as a local and national legislator, has died. He was 75.

Connolly, who represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, died this morning (Wednesday) at his Mantua home of esophageal cancer, an illness he had battled on-and-off since November 2024, his family announced.