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Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis addresses police shooting at Tysons Corner Center (via FCPD/Facebook)

(Updated at 10 p.m.) A man has died after being shot by police outside of Tysons Corner Center mall.

Frantic police radio transmissions went out around 6:30 p.m., for mall-based Tysons Urban Team officers following a suspect in the parking lot outside of Bloomingdale’s. The suspect then reportedly entered the woods along Fashion Blvd, after which officers radioed that gunshots had been fired.

The man was brought to the Fairfax County Police Department’s attention by a loss prevention officer who reported that there was a theft in progress earlier this evening, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said in a 9 p.m. media briefing.

When the loss prevention officer led police to the person believed to be a suspect, the man fled, and two FCPD officers — one in uniform and one in plainclothes — chased him out of the mall, according to police.

“Probably a quarter of a mile or so later, the suspect approached a small wooded area, a small patch of trees and brush,” Davis said. “The suspect ran into that area. Our officers continued to chase him into that area, and at some point in time, our police officers…discharged their firearms.”

Davis said the man was hit at least once, though the number of shots fired haven’t been confirmed yet.

Police say the man received “immediate” medical attention after being shot in the chest. He was transported to a hospital, where he died, the FCPD said at 8:19 p.m.

Fashion Blvd was closed to traffic between Leesburg Pike and Tysons One Place. A police helicopter is flying overhead.

No police officers were injured, Davis confirmed. He said the scene will be blocked off into the morning, as police search for potential evidence.

While there’s no indication so far that the man was armed or fired any shots, Davis didn’t rule out the possibility that he may have had a weapon.

“We want to make sure that if anything was discarded, we have an opportunity to identify and discover it,” he said.

Davis said he couldn’t identify the man yet beyond confirming that he was an adult and male, but he’s apparently “well known” to law enforcement in the D.C. region

“His encounters with local law enforcement in the National Capital region span many years, and it’s a violent criminal history,” he said, though he didn’t share any details of that history or regarding the reported theft.

Tysons Corner Center has been rocked by public safety scares over the past year, most notably a shots-fired incident on June 18 that prompted a panicked evacuation. Noah Settles, a 23-year-old D.C. resident, pleaded guilty to four felony charges stemming from the shooting earlier this month.

The mall was also evacuated in August after shoppers mistook a light fixture shattering for gunshots. A police investigation of a robbery in Arlington on Dec. 19 and a robbery at Elite Jewelers on Jan. 1 also set off rumors of gunfire that turned out to be unfounded.

Davis noted that no stores were closed tonight.

“We know how important this location is to many people, and that’s why our public safety commitment here is so robust,” Davis said. “We have 16 police officers that are assigned full-time to our team here. They work every day, around the clock to ensure this location remains…an absolute safe destination for shoppers, for people going to dinner, for people consuming entertainment.”

FCPD officers shot at least four people last year, two of them fatally. A dog was also shot and killed during a SWAT raid in Herndon in December.

Hat tip to Alan Henney

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Eastbound Elden Street is closed after a crash involving two pedestrians (via Herndon Police/Twitter)

Updated at 4:25 p.m. — Elden Street in Herndon has reopened, as police continue to investigate a crash that involved two pedestrians.

Earlier: Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle on Elden Street in Herndon, per a police report, with one suffering injuries that were initially considered life-threatening.

The incident at the 1000 block of Elden Street occurred shortly after 3 p.m., Herndon Police Department spokesperson Lisa Herndon told FFXnow in an email.

The crash happened near where Elden Street intersects with Locust Street and Sterling Road with one victim being transported to Inova Fairfax with “life-threatening injuries.”

The northbound lanes of Elden Street are closed for the quarter-mile stretch between Alabama Drive and Sterling Road while officers remain on the scene investigating.

The HPD said at 4:11 p.m. that the person who suffered critical injuries has been stabilized, and the other pedestrian’s injuries were minor.

“Preliminary investigation shows speed does not appear to be a factor” in the crash, police said.

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Update at 9:15 p.m. — The earlier Tornado Warning, and one issued subsequently, have both been cancelled. It appears that a rotating storm — possibly a weak tornado — passed by Tysons Corner Center mall, according to video posted on social media. There are also reports of damage near the Tysons Corner Metro station.

Note that the video below contains strong language.

Earlier: Parts of Fairfax County are under a Tornado Warning.

Take cover if you’re in the path of the potential tornado, including parts of Oakton, Vienna, Tysons, Falls Church or McLean.

From the National Weather Service:

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
822 PM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Tornado Warning for… Northern Fairfax County in northern Virginia…

* Until 845 PM EDT.

* At 821 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Chantilly, or over Centreville, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD…Tornado.

SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT…For those in the direct path of a tornado touchdown, flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Damage to roofs, siding, and windows may occur. Mobile homes may be damaged or destroyed. Tree damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near… Reston, Vienna and Oakton around 840 PM EDT. Pimmit Hills, American Legion Bridge, Mclean, Tysons Corner and Wolf Trap around 845 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Dunn Loring, Belleview and West Mclean.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

Via social media:

 

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