The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Woman fatally shot in Fairfax County while calling 911, police say

She had a protective order, according to police

March 15, 2024 at 9:15 p.m. EDT
1 min

A woman who was on the phone calling police for help was shot and killed Friday near Inova Fairfax Hospital, county police said. A man was taken into custody, according to police.

The woman called the emergency dispatch center to tell police that her car was being blocked in a parking space. She told call takers that the car hemming hers in appeared to be occupied by a man she had a protective order against, said Officer Katie Watts, a police spokeswoman.

The shooting, in the 3200 block of Woodburn Road in the Annandale area, occurred before officers could arrive, Watts said. The woman died at the hospital.

A suspect was taken into custody in Prince George’s County shortly after the 4:30 p.m. shooting, according to Fairfax police.

Neither the victim nor the suspect was identified Friday night. The parking lot where the shooting occurred is across the street from the hospital, and it was not clear if the woman had a connection with the hospital, police said.

Both the victim and the man taken into custody were in their 30s and lived in Prince George’s, according to police.

It was unclear whether the fatal gunfire was heard in the 911 center.