Virginia Man Fatally Shot by Police After Stabbing Wife and Daughter to Death with Curved Dagger

 A horrific domestic violence incident in Fairfax County, Virginia,   early Monday morning when a man stabbed his wife and adult daughter to death before police arrived and shot him dead as he continued attacking his son-in-law.

The suspect, identified as Chhatra Thapa, 54, carried out the brutal attack inside an apartment on the 3900 block of Persimmon Drive in the Mantua area around 5 a.m. Authorities described the scene as chaotic and devastating, with officers arriving to find Thapa actively stabbing his son-in-law using a large knife.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis provided details during a news conference, explaining that the son-in-law entered the apartment to discover what he called "an unimaginable scene of his father-in-law butchering his family." The man witnessed Thapa using what police described as a 10-inch curved dagger resembling a meat cleaver to fatally stab his mother-in-law (Thapa's wife) before turning the weapon on him.

Thapa's wife and daughter both succumbed to their injuries at the hospital despite emergency efforts. The son-in-law sustained serious wounds and was hospitalized in critical condition initially, though updates on his status have not been released publicly.

When officers responded to the domestic-related call, they encountered Thapa still armed and in the act of attacking his son-in-law. Davis said officers issued repeated commands for Thapa to drop the weapon, but he refused to comply. One officer then fired, striking and killing Thapa to halt the assault and protect the remaining victim.

A one-year-old grandchild was present in the home during the incident, described by some reports as caught "in the middle" of the violence, though the child was unharmed and later accounted for safely. The presence of the infant added to the tragedy's shock, highlighting the random peril that can accompany such family crises.

Police have not released a motive for the attack, and investigations into the circumstances leading up to the stabbings remain ongoing. The incident is being treated as a domestic-related homicide followed by an officer-involved shooting. Standard protocol calls for a thorough review of the use of force, including body camera footage and witness statements.

Neighbors and community members expressed horror at the news, with many describing the family as quiet and unassuming. The apartment complex, located in a suburban area near Fairfax, has seen an outpouring of support for those affected.

The Fairfax County Police Department continues to investigate, and no charges are pending against the involved officer as the shooting appears justified under the circumstances. Counseling and support services have been offered to family members and first responders impacted by the event.