FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — A tragic domestic incident in the Mantua area of Fairfax County has left a Nepali family devastated. On the morning of Monday, February 23, 2026, a 50-year-old Nepali man, identified by authorities as Chhatra Bahadur Thapa, was shot and killed by police following a violent stabbing attack that claimed the lives of his wife and daughter.
The Sequence of Events
Police were called to the 3900 block of Persimmon Circle shortly after 5:15 a.m. following reports of a domestic disturbance. According to Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, officers arrived to find a scene of "unimaginable" violence.
Authorities stated that Chhatra Bahadur Thapa had attacked his family members with a large, sharp weapon. When officers arrived, they discovered Thapa in the midst of assaulting his 35-year-old son-in-law, Santosh Kumar Basnet. Officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. When he refused and continued the assault, an officer opened fire, striking and fatally wounding Thapa. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by officers at the scene, he was pronounced dead.
Victims and Survivor
The attack resulted in the deaths of two individuals:
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Binda Thapa (51): The suspect's wife, who was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly before 9:00 a.m.
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Mamta Thapa (31): The suspect’s daughter, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The son-in-law, Santosh Kumar Basnet, sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in grave condition at a local hospital. A one-year-old child who was inside the home was discovered unharmed and has been placed in protective care.
Investigation and Community Impact
Preliminary reports suggest that Thapa had been suffering from mental health struggles and had been on medication. Police are currently conducting an exhaustive investigation to determine the circumstances that led to this tragedy. The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
The incident has deeply shaken the Nepali community in Northern Virginia, which maintains a significant presence in the Washington, D.C. area. The Embassy of Nepal in Washington, D.C. has expressed its condolences and is actively coordinating with local community organizations to support the surviving family members and facilitate official communication with relatives.