Fairfax County Police Department News

Mason Police District – Detectives are investigating three cases in which apartments in a retirement community were hit by gunfire. No injuries have been reported, and detectives are actively working to determine whether these incidents in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County are related.

Over the last few weeks, our officers have responded to a number of calls for service in which residents and officers have reported hearing gunshots around the Bailey’s Crossroads area. Among the residential complexes in this vicinity is Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads, a retirement community in the 3400 block of South Jefferson Street. Three units within the apartment complex have been hit by bullets. The first incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on February 10 and the other around 6:25 p.m. on February 23. It is possible that two apartments were hit in one of the incidents. There does not appear to be any consistency in the areas where the building was hit, and detectives do not have reason to believe that any residents are being targeted.

While investigating a call that came in on February 23, officers heard gunshots ring out. The shots sounded like they were coming from the direction of a nearby shopping center. No injuries were reported and no damage was initially noted, but a resident from Goodwin House called us the next afternoon to report a bullet hole in a window. A bullet fragment was recovered from the residence, which was unoccupied at the time.

A few days later on February 27, a patrol supervisor heard gunshots coming from the same neighborhood. Officers responded to the area, but no damage or injuries were reported.

Crime scene detectives have collected the bullet fragments recovered in the apartments. They are processing and analyzing the evidence to determine whether these cases are linked.

We appreciate the cooperation of Goodwin House management, security staff, and residents as we work to investigate these incidents. We encourage anyone who hears anything suspicious to please call 9-1-1 and have officers respond to the area.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call 703-691-2131. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). They can also be sent in via text by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637). Text STOP to 274637 to cancel, or HELP to 274637 for help. Message and data rates may apply. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1000 if their information leads to an arrest.

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