The police investigation into Fairfax County’s first homicide of 2024 has resulted in a murder charge against a 14-year-old.

The teen allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old boy in Annandale at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 13), killing him, the Fairfax County Police Department reported last night (Thursday).

The 14-year-old and an 18-year-old man who tried to intervene were also injured, according to police.

“During the assault, the 14-year-old lost control of the knife and was stabbed by the victim,” the FCPD said. “The 18-year-old heard the commotion, attempted to intervene, and was injured in the process.”

The 14-year-old remains hospitalized and in police custody.

Here’s more on the stabbing in the Fairmont Gardens apartments from the original police report:

At 11:30 p.m. last night, officers responded to the 4200 block of Wadsworth Court in Annandale for a stabbing that occurred outside. Officers found the 17-year-old in a grassy area suffering from stab wounds. Fire and rescue personnel transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The 14-year-old was found inside a nearby apartment and was also taken to the hospital, where he remains. As detectives were investigating an 18-year-old entered the hospital and was treated for injuries believed to be related to the stabbing.

Detectives are actively investigating the circumstances that led to the stabbing. This is not domestic related, and both juveniles are known to each other from previous disputes. Detectives believe all parties from this incident are accounted for.

The same apartment complex was the site of a shooting that hospitalized a woman on Tuesday (Jan. 16). In an update released yesterday, the FCPD said the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation, but detectives don’t believe it was a random act.

“The suspect, accompanied by two other subjects, was briefly allowed into the apartment before discharging shots,” the police department said, noting that the apartment unit is “well-known to area officers.”

Fairfax County police are investigating a possible shooting at the Fairmont Gardens apartments in Annandale.

The woman arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound early this afternoon, according to the Fairfax County Police Department, which describes her injuries as non-life-threatening.

Officers were dispatched to the 4200 block of Wadsworth Court around 12:51 p.m. after 911 received a call from someone who said they’d been shot, per scanner traffic on Open MHz.

“Someone’s saying they got shot in the hip,” the dispatcher told an officer who said he was at Wadsworth Court but hadn’t heard anything. “We’re just having a hard time understanding them. There’s a lot of screaming in the background.”

At 12:58 p.m., a police officer reported that they encountered two people at the scene. One person said they had been shot at but not hit, while another had a bloody hand after falling while running from gunshots.

The FCPD says it doesn’t have any description of a potential suspect right now. Police are advising community members to avoid the area, asking anyone with information to call 911.

UPDATE: The adult female’s injuries are non-life-threatening. Detectives continue to investigate.

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 16, 2024

Image via Google Maps

For the first time this century, Fairfax County’s Mason District has a new supervisor.

In his first week since succeeding Penny Gross, who retired in December after 27 years in the position, Andres Jimenez says he has been actively engaging with constituents to tackle issues ranging from transportation to art projects and economic development.

An immigrant from Bogota, Colombia, who has now lived in the Falls Church area for 12 years, Jimenez is the first Latino to represent Mason District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. He also works as the executive director of the pay equity campaign Green 2.0 and previously served as an at-large member of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.

Winning a decisive victory last November over independent candidate Terry Modglin with 72% of the vote, Jimenez says that, since taking office on Jan. 1, he has been setting up his various social media channels, launching a new podcast and organizing several public forums across the district.

“I think that smart government is when residents don’t just come to you, it’s when the government — when the supervisor’s office — is going into the community and reaching out to residents…and asking them what is working, what’s not working, because only then can you really begin to make change,” he told FFXnow.

The dates for the public town hall and open house events have not been announced yet. However, Jimenez anticipates key areas will include transportation, housing and economic development.

“We do plan to go out into the communities [and] listen to the residents and make sure that we are prioritizing the needs of Mason District,” he said.

Pedestrian and traffic safety

Top on Jimenez’s agenda is addressing pedestrian and traffic safety concerns in neighborhoods like Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners.

Last year, the community advocacy group Fairfax Families for Safe Streets published a report showing that pedestrian fatalities increased in 2022 as a result of “underfunding for pedestrian-focused projects.”

“Unfortunately, there have been a lot of fatalities when it comes to the pedestrians,” Jimenez said. “…We need to really start working on figuring out not only why is this happening, but how can we solve this problem.”

In 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved $100 million for county-wide pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements that will be allocated to different projects through 2028. About $30.2 million has been allocated to date, according to the county website.

At the moment, the county is reviewing 69 proposed safety projects proposed for Mason District. Each of the projects originated from resident suggestions through a county-led online survey.

Jimenez emphasized his objective is to ensure that money is promptly allocated to projects in Mason District, adding that the money is “desperately needed.”

Jimenez identified a few intersections — such as Leesburg Pike (Route 7) at both Row Street and Columbia Pike — as high priority, focusing more on signal upgrades and other spot improvements than more comprehensive, long-term solutions.

In the coming months, Jimenez noted that he plans to consult with local stakeholder groups, such as the Bailey’s Crossroads 7 Corners Revitalization Corporation, to help identify projects that need immediate attention.

“We’ve already identified several initiatives — obviously Seven Corners, Bailey’s Crossroads and Annandale — that need help,” he said. “They need signage and they need timers and they need different ways to make sure that pedestrians are safe.”

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The District dominates Washingtonian’s 2023 survey of its readers’ favorite restaurants, but a couple of the highlighted establishments can be found right in Fairfax County.

Looking at eateries that came out on top in the poll’s 21 categories, readers picked Andy’s Pizza as their favorite place for pizza in the D.C. area and Call Your Mother as their favorite spot for breakfast.

A bagel shop and deli with a flagship location in D.C.’s Petsworth neighborhood Call Your Mother is expected to open a brick-and-mortar location at Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean next year after launching a mobile truck there in May.

In its survey, Washingtonian lauds Andy’s Pizza for serving the “best New York–style slices and pies you’ll find in these parts.”

The pizzeria has eight locations across the region, including ones in Tysons and Old Town Alexandria. After five years, the Tysons Galleria location still seems to be going strong, the one constant in a food hall that has otherwise struggled to take off.

Speaking of food halls, The Block was voted no. 3 in the region by Washingtonian readers, behind Union Market and The Roost in D.C.

Claiming to be Northern Virginia’s first food hall, The Block launched at 4221 John Marr Drive in Annandale in 2016 and expanded to Bethesda in 2019. Focused on Asian cuisine and snacks, its current Annandale tenants are Bold Dumpling, Balo Kitchen, Pokeworks Co. and SnoCream Company.

“These Asian food halls pack a lot into their smaller spaces, including stops for bubble tea, hibachi, and dumplings,” Washingtonian said.

Other restaurants with Fairfax County ties that showed up in Washingtonian’s poll include:

• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (no. 3 for Favorite Breakfast) recently opened a Reston Town Center location
• Han Palace (no. 3 for Favorite Chinese Restaurant) debuted in Tysons in 2020
• Kogiya (no. 3 for Favorite Korean Restaurant) “grills up quality beef and pork” at 4220-A Annandale Road

Voters also recognized Ellie Bird and Rice Paper in nearby Falls Church City among the best new and Vietnamese restaurants, respectively. Ruthie’s All Day in Arlington, Thompson Italian in Falls Church and Alexandria, and The Inn at Little Washington were voted as Virginia’s top three restaurants.

Published on Monday (Dec. 11), this was the 46th iteration of Washingtonian’s annual reader poll.

(Updated at 11:45 a.m.) Pickleball devotees will soon have new places to play in the Fairfax area.

The Fairfax City Council voted last night (Tuesday) to grant a special use permit to Down the Line Sports Center, which will build an indoor pickleball facility to replace the vacated CVS in Courthouse Plaza (10390 Willard Way).

The 10,000-square-foot former pharmacy will be transformed into a dedicated pickleball facility with three full-sized courts and two half-sized courts, according to the application submitted by Down the Line owner Jenni Bae.

Though an opening date hasn’t been set yet, Down the Line is already preparing to extend its reach with a second, larger facility in Annandale that’s also anticipated to launch next year.

“This is an exciting new chapter for Down the Line Sports Center, and we are thrilled to bring our first location to the heart of Old Town,” Bae said. “Our vision is to create a space where patrons of all ages can come together, play, and connect. We’re grateful for the support of the City Council, Fairfax City Economic Development, and the Façade and Interior Improvement Grant program for making this dream a reality.”

Provided by Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), the grant program reimburses 50% or up to $20,000 of the costs for businesses to get established or expand in the city.

A tennis player who got into pickleball during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bae told FFXnow that the original plan was to open an indoor pickleball facility in Annandale. But then, she connected with the FCED and saw an opportunity to open a smaller center more quickly.

“We recognized it as basically a beneficial opportunity for both Fairfax City and our business,” she said.

Because the Fairfax City facility will be relatively small, Down the Line hopes to offer social events to the community in lieu of pickleball tournaments and leagues, which require at least six courts, according to the application.

The company said it’s open to partnering with the Old Town Fairfax Business Association and the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce on future events, while also participating in festivals and other outdoor city events.

In a press release, the FCED lauded the facility as “a significant leap towards invigorating Old Town Fairfax and fostering a sense of community.” Fairfax City has six pickleball courts at Green Acres Center (4401 Sideburn Road), including one that’s indoors, and four at Van Dyck Park (3720 Blenheim Blvd), but this is the city’s first dedicated, indoor pickleball complex.

Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read credited local pickleball players at Green Acres Center and former city council member Janice Miller with advocating for more playing options in the city to support the growing — and sometimes polarizing — sport.

“We have delivered a solution that works no matter the weather,” Read said. “That value is made greater by the fact many residents can walk there or take the free CUE bus.”

According to Bae, Down the Line hopes to open the Fairfax facility this winter, followed in the second half of 2024 by the Annandale facility.

Located at 4311 Ravensworth Road, the 50,000-square-foot Annandale center will feature 18 permanent indoor courts, seven golf simulators and a sports bar. The company envisions it as a future destination for both amateur and professional players in the D.C. region and beyond.

“Our goal is to bring in huge events that we’ve never been able to have in this area before because no one has ever been able to provide the indoor space that we can provide,” Bae said. “…We will become a destination center where people will fly in from other states to play in our tournaments…They’re going to bring more business to the restaurants, to the hotels and to everything in the Annandale area because of our center.”

Rendering via Down the Line Sports Center

A woman suffered serious injuries earlier this evening (Monday) when she was apparently hit by a Metrobus on Little River Turnpike.

“Officers are investigating a bus crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Little River [Turnpike] and Hummer [Road] in Annandale,” the Fairfax County Police Department said. “The pedestrian, an adult female, was transported in life-threatening condition.”

Eastbound Little River Turnpike was shut down at Hummer.

First responders were dispatched to that intersection for the crash just before 10 p.m., according to scanner traffic on Open MHz. When police and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units arrived, the woman was found trapped under the front wheels of the bus.

“It does look like we’ve got one patient with severe head wounds. She is alert and conscious right now,” an FCFRD responder said at 10:04 p.m.

The fire department responder in command reported at 10:10 p.m. that the trapped woman was a pedestrian and the vehicle was a Metrobus.

Metro didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The woman was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with serious injuries. No passengers were on the bus, per the scanner.

Officers are investigating a bus crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Little River Trpk and Hummer Rd in Annandale. The pedestrian, an adult female, was transported in life-threatening condition. EB Little River Trpk is closed at Hummer Rd. Please avoid the area #FCPD pic.twitter.com/QSivOK6VHa

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) December 5, 2023

WOMAN RUNOVER AND TRAPPED UNDER METROBUS— Little River Turnpike at Hummer Rd in Annandale. She was last reported conscious but with a severe head injury. She is under the front axle. Heavy-duty wreckers req'd to assist with rescue. #VATraffic #WMATA @MetroGuns pic.twitter.com/FwrdV2VczQ

— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) December 5, 2023

Map via Google Maps

Updated at 1 p.m. — Hiep Van Vo, the suspect in Sunday’s shooting at the Fairview Park Marriott, was arrested at 11 p.m. yesterday outside a Giant in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Fairfax County police said today (Monday).

Vo is in custody at the Montgomery County Detention Center “awaiting extradition back to Fairfax County,” according to police.

Earlier: Fairfax County police are looking for an Annandale man believed to be the suspect in a fatal shooting at the Marriott hotel near Merrifield early yesterday (Sunday) morning.

Detectives obtained warrants last night for 43-year-old Hiep Van Vo, charging him with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm as a felon, the Fairfax County Police Department announced.

Police and fire units were called to the hotel at 3111 Fairview Park Drive around 12:42 a.m. after a 911 caller reported that someone had been shot in the chest and arm, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department personnel, who happened to be at the building after responding to an unrelated fire, found Charles Anthony Ashe Jr., 44, of Maryland “near the elevators suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body,” the FCPD said.

Ashe was transported with life-threatening injuries to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he died that morning.

Witnesses reported that the shooting took place on the hotel’s sixth floor, and an officer said they found blood near the elevator, according to the scanner.

The FCPD says its detectives have determined that the shooting occurred after Ashe entered a hotel room where Vo was staying with four other people.

“Inside the room, Vo shot Ashe. No one else was injured,” the FCPD said. “Ashe was able to exit the hotel room and was carried by friends, who heard the gunshots, to the elevator. Vo fled from the hotel…Evidence of narcotics was discovered inside the hotel room.”

Police believe Ashe and Vo knew each other, and the shooting wasn’t a random act. The FCPD advises anyone with information about Vo to call 703-691-2131 or send a tip through Crime Solvers.

Detectives are on scene investigating. The victim, adult man was pronounced deceased at the hospital. #FCPD

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) November 19, 2023

CRITICAL HOTEL SHOOTING— Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park at 3111 Fairview Park Drive in Annandale. Firefighters from Engine-418 were on an unrelated call when gunfire was reported. They found one person shot with life-threatening injuries. h/t @HCBright10 cc: @ffxnow… pic.twitter.com/i2TUt0sTAP

— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) November 19, 2023

Image via Google Maps

Annandale’s Eastgate Shopping Center is closer to getting an apartment building.

During a meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 24), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a plan from developer Eastgate JV LLC to allow residential development on the 11.8-acre property at the corner of Little River Turnpike and John Marr Drive.

The new building will be six stories tall and include 280 multifamily units, along with 11,220 square feet of commercial retail on the ground floor. The application also proposed adding 23,858 square feet of new, on-site urban park spaces.

There were no public comments on the plan, but Scott Adams, a lawyer representing the project developer, told the Board of Supervisors they think the development will be an asset to the community.

“It’s also something where we think it’s going to spur additional revitalization in the area,” he said.

The construction will take over the space currently occupied by The Block, a popular food hall. Adams said at an Oct. 11 planning commission public hearing that there are plans to retain The Block in some form.

The Board of Supervisors also approved the developer’s request to reduce parking requirements to 1.34 spaces per apartment unit — a 16% reduction from the county’s current requirement of 1.6 spaces per unit.

Adams said the redevelopment has a focus on creating “a safe and inviting pedestrian environment.”

“So we’ve removed a turn lane on John Marr Drive [and] provided wildlife landscape amenity panels on both sides of the 10-foot mixed-use trail,” he said.

A nearby bus stop on John Marr Drive will also be upgraded with a bus shelter and ADA-accessible pad.

Anchored until 2018 by K-Mart, which got replaced by K Market International, the Eastgate Shopping Center is home to several restaurants and grocery stores. Although the planning commission recommended the board approve the plan earlier this month, some members warned against the gentrification of the area’s retail and restaurants.

Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross said she was happy to see the plans becoming a reality.

“The original idea was a mixed-use town center in phases and now, 15 years later, the first phase is coming to fruition,” Gross said.

A McLean woman died Saturday (Oct. 21) after crashing into another car while driving in the Capital Beltway (I-495) Express Lanes.

According to state police, Annette M. Ozaltin, 44, was heading south in the northbound I-495 toll lanes when her 2013 Toyota Prius struck a northbound 2018 Chevrolet Cruze head-on around 2:07 a.m.

“The impact of the crash caused the Toyota to spin around, run off the left side of the interstate and strike the cement Jersey wall,” the Virginia State Police said in a news release last night (Sunday).

The crash occurred in Annandale near the 51-mile marker, just south of the Gallows Road interchange.

Ozaltin was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where she died from her injuries that morning.

The Chevrolet driver has been identified as 34-year-old Stephanie Leiva from Dumfries. She was transported to a hospital “for treatment of serious injuries,” police said.

Both women were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, according to police.

“The crash remains under investigation,” the VSP said.

This appears to be the 32nd fatal crash to occur within Fairfax County this year and the fourth on I-495, according to state data. As of last night, October fatalities, including Saturday’s crash and a hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian on Richmond Highway on Oct. 6, haven’t yet been counted in the Department of Motor Vehicles database.

Annandale: NB 495 (Inner Loop) just south of Gallows Rd, two left lanes and the express lanes are closed due to a crash. Reconstruction is on scene. Expect delays. pic.twitter.com/HcxEtiV0Le

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) October 21, 2023