Fairfax County Police Department News

West Springfield Police District – A Springfield man is dead this evening after an investigation shows he assaulted his wife with a hatchet and took his own life using a chainsaw. Officers responded to the 7500 block of Springfield Hills Drive shortly before 3:30 this afternoon for an assault with weapon call stemming from a domestic dispute. They found the victim, a 76-year-old woman, with non-life-threatening injuries caused by the blunt side of a hatchet. The suspect, her husband, was found in the home’s garage with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 70 years old. We are not releasing the name of the suspect to protect the identity of the victim.

A preliminary investigation determined an adult family member arrived at the home and was unable to open the front door. She pushed the door in and saw the suspect assaulting his wife in the foyer. She rescued the victim and the two of them exited the home. The suspect followed them outside where a struggle ensued over the weapon. After 9-1-1 was called, the man returned to the home and shut the door. Officers were setting up a perimeter when one noticed the suspect laying on the floor of the garage with serious injuries. They entered the garage and immediately provided life-saving measures before the suspect was taken to the hospital.

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