Fairfax County Horror: Man Fatally Shot by Police After Wife and Daughter Killed in Mantua Apartment
Fairfax County police shot and killed Chhatra Bahadur Thapa after he allegedly fatally stabbed his wife, Binda Thapa, and daughter, Mamta Thapa, and c
A quiet Fairfax County neighborhood was shaken early Monday morning after a domestic violence call in the Mantua area escalated into a deadly confrontation involving multiple family members and responding officers. According to Fairfax County police, officers were dispatched around 5 a.m. on February 23, 2026, to the 3900 block of Persimmon Drive following reports of a violent assault inside an apartment. What they encountered, authorities say, was a devastating scene that left two women dead, one man critically injured, and the alleged attacker fatally shot by police.
Police identified the deceased women as 33-year-old Mamta Thapa and 52-year-old Binda Thapa. Officers arriving at the residence found Mamta outside suffering from stab wounds. Inside the apartment, they encountered 54-year-old Chhatra Bahadur Thapa allegedly armed with a knife and kneeling over 34-year-old Santosh Kumar Basnet, identified as his son-in-law. Basnet had sustained serious stab wounds, and Binda Thapa was found nearby, also critically injured. Authorities say officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop the weapon, but he continued the assault. An officer then discharged his firearm, striking Chhatra Bahadur Thapa, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Despite emergency medical efforts, Mamta Thapa and Binda Thapa were later pronounced dead at a hospital. Basnet remains hospitalized in life-threatening condition, according to investigators. A 1-year-old child, the son of Mamta and Basnet, was found unharmed inside the apartment and has since been placed with family members. Officials described the incident as an apparent domestic-related attack, though investigators continue working to determine the events leading up to the violence.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis confirmed that the officer involved in the shooting is a 2.5-year veteran of the department and has been placed on restricted administrative duty, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. Multiple investigations are now underway, including a criminal review and an internal administrative inquiry, to assess the use of force and fully reconstruct the timeline of events. Authorities have emphasized transparency as they gather forensic evidence and interview witnesses.
The tragedy has left neighbors in shock, as the Mantua community is not typically associated with such extreme violence. Residents described the area as quiet and family-oriented, making the early morning police presence and crime scene activity especially unsettling. Community leaders are urging families affected by the incident to seek support services, as domestic violence cases often leave lasting emotional trauma on extended relatives and neighbors alike.
As Fairfax County processes this heartbreaking case, attention remains focused on the surviving victim’s recovery and the well-being of the young child left behind. The incident underscores the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the split-second decisions officers sometimes face when responding to active threats. Authorities continue to investigate and are asking anyone with relevant information to contact police. In the wake of the violence, a community mourns multiple lives lost and grapples with the profound impact of a family tragedy that unfolded in just moments.
