A man was shot and killed by a Virginia state trooper Sunday after allegedly stabbing four people — including a woman who later died — during a road rage incident on Interstate 495 near Washington, D.C., authorities said.
The violent confrontation unfolded Sunday afternoon on the southbound lanes of the Capital Beltway in Fairfax County, prompting hourslong lane closures and major traffic delays.
According to Virginia State Police, a trooper responded around 1:17 p.m. to reports of a road rage incident following a crash on I-495.
“When the trooper arrived on scene, he was confronted by a male suspect carrying a knife,” state police said in a statement. “The trooper then shot the suspect in self-defense.”
The suspect was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Woman and Dog Killed
Authorities said a 39-year-old woman was fatally stabbed during the attack. A dog was also stabbed to death. The conditions of the other victims were not immediately known.
Investigators said preliminary findings indicate the stabbings occurred after a crash on the southbound side of I-495. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
Officials emphasized the incident does not appear to be terrorism-related.
Witnesses Describe Chaotic Scene
Witnesses reported seeing two damaged vehicles stopped on the interstate before observing a man wielding a knife.
One driver told CNN he saw two people covered in blood and a woman attempting to intervene as the suspect continued swinging the weapon.
“It was really scary,” the witness said.
Another witness said he saw what appeared to be a struggle before a state trooper arrived and fired multiple shots at the suspect.
Several lanes of the Beltway were shut down for hours as authorities processed the scene, causing traffic to grind to a halt.
The investigation remains ongoing.