A man who barricaded himself in his West Falls Church home on Sunday (March 10) is facing multiple criminal charges, including assault and abduction.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, a woman told officers that afternoon that she had been abducted and assaulted by a “known suspect” in the Mosby neighborhood.

The woman ran up to the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Annandale Road around 2:23 p.m., reporting that her boyfriend had assaulted her, a dispatcher said on the police scanner on Open MHz. She had visible marks on her face.

“The victim sustained injuries considered non-life threatening and was treated at the hospital,” the FCPD said in a news release published yesterday (Monday).

The man, identified as 33-year-old Silvio Meza Jr., was wanted by the FCPD for allegedly failing to appear in court on drug possession charges, police said.

Meza was in his home in the 6700 block of Chestnut Avenue and refused to come out, according to police, who learned that he “may have been armed with a rifle.” Special Operations Division, Crisis Negotiations Team and Crisis Response Team officers responded to assist.

The barricade situation lasted over seven hours, concluding around 9:45 p.m. when Meza surrendered and was taken into custody.

In addition to being served the outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court, Meza has been charged with assault, strangulation, abduction, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

UPDATE: Suspect in custody! The barricade has been resolved. Follow our blog for available updates https://t.co/QsTzdpgf0U

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) March 11, 2024

(Updated at 3:35 p.m.) Congress has passed another short-term budget package, averting a partial shutdown of the federal government just hours before a midnight deadline.

In addition to funding the Justice Department, Housing and Urban Development, and other key agencies, the slate of bills passed 75-22 by the Senate on Friday (March 8) includes $12.7 billion in “pork” — money designated for local projects requested by lawmakers for their constituents.

In a joint press release, Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced that Fairfax County and other Virginia localities will be among the beneficiaries of the more than 6,600 projects that got funding, per the Associated Press.

“I’m proud that we secured funding for 105 community projects across Virginia that will improve transportation, upgrade water infrastructure, support health care, and more,” Kaine said. “I urge Congress to take up the rest of the government funding bills as soon as possible.”

According to breakdowns provided by Warner’s and Rep. Gerry Connolly’s offices, the biggest allocation for Fairfax County is $4.1 million “to fund a new homeless and domestic violence shelter for families.”

The county’s existing domestic violence and family shelters have exceeded their useful lives, but instead of building new facilities, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority is planning to convert an existing “extended stay” hotel that will be able to house about 50 families a day.

“Site acquisition activities are ongoing, with the goal of securing a location that is well-served by transit, and close to jobs and services,” FCRHA spokesperson Allyson Pearce said.

Connolly’s office says the site “will entail combining rooms, creating service and office space, and other changes to the existing hotel setup,” noting that converting an existing building instead of constructing a new one will enable the county “to deliver this essential, brand new facility years earlier than might otherwise be accomplished.”

The county has two shelters specifically for people fleeing domestic violence — Artemis House and Bethany House — and two shelters that accommodate people with children — the Katherine Hanley shelter outside Centreville and the Patrick Henry shelter in Seven Corners.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved plans in August 2022 to replace the Patrick Henry shelter with supportive housing after some delays related to land acquisition challenges.

The appropriations package also includes funding for several road and pedestrian projects:

• Spring Street widening from four to six lanes between Herndon Parkway and Fairfax County Parkway ($1 million)
• Fox Mill Road and Pinecrest Road intersection improvements in Herndon ($850,000)
• Silverbrook Road and Lorton Road intersection improvements ($850,000)
• Sidewalk on Ninian Avenue and along Bush Hill Drive to improve safety and accessibility for Bush Hill Elementary School students in Rose Hill ($850,000)
• Gunston Road shared-use path from Julia Taft Way to the Pohick Bay Golf Course entrance in Lorton ($500,000)
• Compton Road bicycle and pedestrian path from the Bull Run Special Events Center access road to the Cub Run Stream Valley Trail in Centreville ($500,000)
• Stone Road trail from the I-66 interchange to an existing trail along southbound Route 28 in Centreville ($500,000)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation applied for federal grants last summer to fund the Bush Hill and Compton Road projects. Read More

Updated at 5:45 p.m. on 10/8/2023 — Police have identified the suspect in Friday’s Lorton stabbing as 27-year-old Jorge Andres Esquivel Rivera, the son of the victim.

Updated at 10:25 a.m. on 10/7/2023 — The man suspected of stabbing a woman in Lorton was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol in Jacksonville last night (Friday), the Fairfax County Police Department announced today.

“He is now facing a charge of Aggravated Malicious Wounding and will be extradited back to Fairfax County,” the FCPD said in a tweet.

Earlier: A woman has been hospitalized with potentially life-threatening injuries after a person stabbed her at a home in Lorton.

Emergency medical services were dispatched to the 9200 block of Cardinal Forest Lane in the Gunston Corner Condominiums around 12:56 p.m., according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

A dispatcher told responding officers that the victim was reported to be bleeding and appeared to have been beaten up, leading police to believe that the stabbing is a case of domestic violence.

The Fairfax County Police Department says the suspect is believed to have fled the scene in a vehicle.

“The victim remains hospitalized,” the FCPD said in a tweet. “The suspect is believed to have left the area. Detectives continue to investigate.”

The victim remains hospitalized. The suspect is believed to have left the area. Detectives continue to investigate. Follow our blog for available information. https://t.co/9NaOOFJFZa

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) October 6, 2023

(Updated at 11:35 a.m.) An Arlington man could be sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing a woman and setting her body on fire in a Seven Corners condominium last year.

A Fairfax County Circuit Court jury has convicted 48-year-old Richard Montano of first-degree murder and arson for killing Silvia Vaca Abacay, whose body he subsequently attempted to burn, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced yesterday (Thursday).

“As Commonwealth’s Attorney, I’ve seen considerable crime scenes and photos, but the photos from this case stood out in terms of the severity of the victim’s injuries,” Descano said in a statement. “Nothing can undo Silvia’s death, but a conviction ensures that the defendant is no longer a danger to members of our community. I hope today’s verdict provides the victim’s family with the first step towards healing.”

Officers were called to a condo on Willston Place in The Villages at Falls Church at 3:05 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2022 for a man and woman who were heard arguing, Fairfax County Police Department Major Crimes Bureau Commander Ed O’Carroll said at the time.

Abacay had been stabbed multiple times, and her body was on fire when police found her. Though first responders extinguished the fire, she died at the scene.

According to police, a witness reported seeing a man flee the scene, prompting an extensive search of the area that briefly required residents to shelter in place. Montano was arrested at his home in Arlington around 6:30 p.m. that same day.

He was originally charged with second-degree murder, arson in an occupied dwelling and burglary with the intent to commit murder.

Descano’s office says prosecutors asked the jury to find Montano guilty of first-degree murder, noting that murder charges typically have some built-in flexibility allowing a jury or judge to determine if a first degree, second degree or manslaughter charge is most appropriate.

“Murder charges are usually indicted as second-degree because that is based on the information/evidence available at the time,” Laura Birnbaum, public information officer for the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, said by email. “Then, at trial, prosecutors can ask a jury or judge to find either first or second depending on the level of premeditation.”

The burglary charge was dropped at a preliminary hearing last fall, Birnbaum confirmed.

During a trial that began on Monday (Oct. 2), prosecutors made the case that Montano had mistaken Abacay for her friend, who had broken up with him after an eight-year relationship in July. Abacay was temporarily living at her friend’s apartment.

“A neighbor’s Ring camera footage showed that Montano had entered her apartment without her knowledge multiple times in the preceding month, with his last entry just 10 days before the murder occurred,” the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office said. “The same neighbor called 911 four times that afternoon after hearing screaming and banging from across the hall.”

The neighbor testified to a judge at the preliminary hearing in November that his last 911 call was to tell responders that “there was smoke and fire coming out of the building,” DC News Now reported.

Medical examiners determined that Abacay died from the stab wounds before Montano set her body on fire, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office says.

The murder and arson charges both carry potential life sentences. Montano is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 19, 2024.

Photo courtesy Ed O’Carroll/Twitter

(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) A man was arrested at 10 p.m. last night after he barricaded himself and a woman in a home in Fair Oaks, prompting a police response.

Officers were currently on the scene in the 4100 block of Park Chase Drive, which is the Parkside at Fairfax Corner community yesterday afternoon and into the night.

The Fairfax County Police Department said at 5:11 p.m. that the man is “possibly armed,” advising community members to avoid the area as its officers work to resolve the situation.

Police were dispatched to the townhome at 4:05 p.m. for a “domestic dispute” that the dispatcher described as a priority, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

According to the dispatcher, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office had gone to the home earlier today (Monday) to serve a protective order. Neither the FCPD or the sheriff’s office was immediately available to confirm that.

Officers are in the 4100 blk of Park Chase Dr in Fair Oaks for a man barricaded inside a home with a woman. The man is possibly armed. Please avoid the area as we attempt to resolve the situation peacefully. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/e5uiF1e4B5

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) August 29, 2023

A man shot his mother and himself in Seven Corners yesterday (Thursday), sending both of them to the hospital, Fairfax County police say.

Officers were dispatched to the Woodlake Towers condominiums at 6001 Arlington Blvd around 4:34 p.m. for the apparent domestic violence incident, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

A dispatcher relayed that a woman had called, saying her son shot her “in the arm, body and leg” and also shot himself.

Around 4:44 p.m., an officer at the scene reported that the shooter had been located with a gun in his hand.

“He shot himself in the head, and he shot the victim,” the officer said.

Both individuals were taken to the hospital with injuries that were initially considered life-threatening, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Later, the woman’s condition was changed to non-life-threatening.

Police said there was “no apparent threat to the community.”

The victim's injuries are now considered non-life-threatening. Both the suspect and the victim remain hospitalized. Follow our blog, https://t.co/lhGv3NDvYs for any available updates. #FCPD

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) July 27, 2023

Photo via Google Maps

Updated at 2:20 p.m. on 4/28/2023 — Police are officially investigating yesterday’s shooting as a double murder and suicide case.

Based on a preliminary investigation, detectives believe that 47-year-old Tiku Berhane Gebreeyesus shot his wife, 38-year-old Meskerem Belachew Solomon, and her brother, 31-year-old Amanuel Belachew Solomon, before shooting himself.

Earlier: Fairfax County police are investigating a domestic shooting at a West Springfield house.

Three people — two adult men and one woman — were found dead in the basement of a house in the 8500 block of Wild Spruce Drive, the Fairfax County Police Department said.

A handgun was found near the bodies, FCPD Deputy Chief of Investigations Eli Cory said at a 6 p.m. media briefing. The woman and a man in his 20s had multiple gunshot wounds, while an older man in his 40s was shot once in the upper body.

A housekeeper who lives at the home called 911 at 3:47 p.m., reporting that she had found three people shot after hearing gunshots from the basement. She was in an upper level of the house with a 2-year-old kid at the time, according to Cory.

“We believe that everyone is accounted for and this is domestic releated. There’s no apparent threat to the public,” Cory said.

According to scanner traffic, officers arrived at the scene around 3:56 p.m. to find the three dead people in the basement. A medic was requested for an officer who cut himself breaking through glass into the basement.

When officers arrived, they met the housekeeper as well as a nanny who had apparently left the house and then returned. Cory said three juveniles live at the house, but only the 2-year-old was home at the time of the shooting.

The FCPD says anyone with information about the incident can contact its detectives at 703-246-7800.

Officers on scene of a death investigation in the 8500 blk of Wild Spruce Drive, Springfield. Preliminarily, three people were found deceased inside a home and a firearm was found at the scene. Detectives are responding to investigate. pic.twitter.com/7Rk1DKSI3b

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) April 27, 2023

THREE FOUND DEAD IN HOUSE BASEMENT — 8500 blk Wild Spruce Dr in Springfield. Police have found three dead in basement. Gunshots were reported here earlier this afternoon. Police are trying to determine circumstances now. H/T @RVANOVA01 and @HCBright10 and @Gsxr98 cc: @ffxnow pic.twitter.com/y1p6tF8jk8

— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) April 27, 2023

Fairfax County police are investigating an apparent domestic dispute that involved a Centreville man and his family’s dog getting stabbed.

Brendan Hadermann, 22, of Centreville was arrested by Virginia State Police on Tuesday (April 25) after a pursuit that extended into Lorton. He has been charged with malicious wounding, animal cruelty, and disregarding police commands to stop.

Officers were dispatched to the 5500 block of Cedar Break Drive at 9:14 a.m. for the reported stabbing, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

“The victim reported he suffered multiple stab wounds from a domestic-related incident,” the FCPD said in a news release yesterday (Wednesday). “When officers arrived, they also found the family dog suffering from a puncture wound to its abdomen.”

The man, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The dog was transported to an animal hospital, where it is currently in stable condition, the police said.

Scanner traffic suggests the man is Hadermann’s father, but the FCPD said it can only confirm that the incident is “domestic related” right now.

According to police, Hadermann was seen leaving the scene of the stabbing in a black Chevrolet pickup truck.

After an alert for the vehicle was sent to neighboring jurisdictions, Virginia State Police troopers encountered the truck on I-95 and attempted a traffic stop around 10:30 a.m. Hadermann evidently fled, leading to a high-speed chase that ended around 10:37 a.m. in the Lorton Valley area.

Hadermann is currently in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he’s being held without bond.

The FCPD says anyone with information about this or similar cases can contact its detectives at 703-246-7800, option 5. Tips are also accepted through Crime Solvers by phone (1-866-411-TIPS) and online.

(Updated at 11:35 a.m.) One person was killed and another hospitalized with life-threatening injuries that proved fatal in an apparent domestic violence incident at a home near Frying Pan Farm Park earlier this morning, police said.

Police believe a woman was stabbed in a home on the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way in Herndon. Preliminarily, someone living in the home shot the suspect, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

“The stabber was shot and killed by an occupant of the home,” an FCPD spokesperson said.

Police later reported that the woman who was stabbed died at the hospital.

There were four people in the home at the time of the incident, all of whom are known to each other, Police Chief Kevin Davis said in an 11 a.m. briefing. The family also had a little girl who is now with police.

According to Davis, police haven’t determined yet which individual was responsible for the stabbing or the shooting.

Officers are in the 13200 block of Stable Brook Wy in Reston for a shooting. Prelim, a woman was inside a home when she was stabbed. An occupant shot the suspect. One person declared deceased. One taken to hospital w/life-threatening injuries. All parties accounted for. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/TnZBFmTcDz

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) February 24, 2023

(Updated at 3:40 p.m.) A teen was taken into police custody after allegedly stabbing and ultimately killing his mother’s boyfriend in a Hybla Valley apartment last night (Sunday), police say.

Officers were called to the apartment in the 7900 block of Janna Lee Avenue just before 10 p.m. after the teen reported that his mother was being assaulted by her boyfriend, Fairfax County Police Department Second Lt. James Curry said in a brief update at 1 a.m.

Marcus Roberson, a 32-year-old D.C. resident, was transported to a nearby hospital with stab wounds to his upper body, according to police. He died at the hospital.

“Detectives are actively investigating to determine the circumstances that led to the stabbing,” Curry said.

An initial investigation appears to have backed up the teen’s report to police:

Preliminarily, detectives from our Major Crime Bureau and Crime Scene Section determined Roberson was visiting the address when a verbal argument escalated into an assault. The juvenile teenager reported he stabbed Roberson to stop the assault. There were three other children inside the apartment that were unharmed. The woman was treated at the scene for injuries not considered life threatening.

According to the FCPD, the teen was released to his mother after being interviewed last night and hasn’t been charged for the stabbing, which detectives believe may have been “a justifiable homicide.”

“Detectives continue to conduct interviews and process evidence recovered from the scene to determine the circumstances that led up to the fatal stabbing,” the police department said.

Charges may be filed at a later date based on a consultation between police and the Office of the Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney. An autopsy will be conducted “in the coming days” to confirm the cause and manner of Roberson’s death.

This is the second fatal stabbing seen in Fairfax County this year. The previous incident on Jan. 10 also reportedly stemmed from domestic violence, as an adult man in McLean allegedly stabbed his mother and stepfather, who died.

Officers are on scene of a domestic-related fatal stabbing in the 7900 blk of Janna Lee Avenue, Alexandria. A man was stabbed in the upper body. He was taken to hospital where he was declared deceased. Person of interest is in custody. Detectives are responding to investigate. pic.twitter.com/3DVYF6yAFV

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 30, 2023

NOW FATAL stabbing in the Mount Vernon area. @ffxnow https://t.co/0OFWumNyY0

— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) January 30, 2023