Fairfax County Police Department News

Mason Police District – The criminal and administrative investigations continue into the February 23 officer-involved shooting in the 3900 block of Persimmon Drive in Mantua.

Chhatra Thapa, 54, had attacked two family members, both adult females, with a knife and was actively attacking a third family member, an adult male, with the knife inside their residence. Thapa failed to comply with the responding officers’ repeated commands to drop the knife. One officer discharged his firearm, striking Thapa multiple times in the upper body. Thapa was pronounced dead at the scene.

All three stabbing victims were transported to a local hospital where the two adult females were pronounced deceased. Police Officer First Class (PFC) Nicholas Brazones, a 2.5-year veteran of the department, discharged his firearm. PFC Brazones is assigned to the Mason Police District. He is on restricted-duty status while the investigations continue.

The body-worn camera footage will be released within 30 days of the incident in accordance with the department’s guidelines.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on X, Facebook, and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD

(Originally Published on February 25, 2026)

Mason Police District – An early morning domestic-related assault has resulted in the homicides of two victims and one critically injured victim, and an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead in Mantua.

On Monday, February 23, at approximately 5:06 a.m., officers responded to the 3900 block of Persimmon Drive in Mantua for a reported domestic-related assault involving two victims.

Officers quickly arrived on scene and located an adult female victim suffering from stab wounds outside the apartment. Officers then entered the apartment and immediately encountered Chhatra Thapa, 54, of Fairfax, who was armed with a knife and kneeling over an adult male victim inside the residence. They also observed a second adult female victim suffering from stab wounds. Officers issued repeated verbal commands for Thapa to drop the knife. When he failed to comply and continued the assault, an officer discharged his firearm, striking Thapa.

A photo of the knife used by Thapa was recovered on scene and is pictured below:

Officers immediately rendered medical aid to Thapa and the victims until personnel from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department arrived. Despite life-saving efforts, Thapa was pronounced deceased on scene.

Chhatra Thapa, 54

Mamta Thapa, 33, and Binda Thapa, 52, both of Fairfax, were transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced deceased. The adult male victim was transported to a local hospital in life-threatening condition and remains hospitalized.

Inside the residence was a one-year-old male who was unharmed. Detectives took the child into protective custody. Our Victim Services Division, in coordination with Child Protective Services, has located and arranged an appropriate family placement.

The officer involved in the shooting is a 2.5-year veteran assigned to the Mason Police District. As per department policy, the officer has been placed on a restricted duty status pending the outcome of criminal and administrative investigations. 

The Major Crimes Bureau is conducting a criminal investigation into the use of force, and the Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting a separate administrative investigation which will be subject to an independent review by the Independent Police Auditor. The results of the criminal investigation will be presented to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney. In accordance with department policy, body-worn camera footage will be released within 30 days, and the officer’s name will be released within 10 days.

All information provided in this release is based on preliminary investigative findings and may be subject to revision as the investigation progresses.

To view the press conference from the scene, click HERE.

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the victim and child are receiving appropriate resources and assistance. 

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.