Hillwood Avenue Standoff Ends

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF

June 26, 2012

11:32 pm:  The City has released the following account of the situation that developed yesterday on Hillwood Avenue.

The Falls Church City Police Department received a call for a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of Hillwood shortly after 4 p.m. on Monday, June 25.

City police responded to the scene and were met by a distraught male subject with a handgun.  There were also reports that the subject had poured gasoline on himself and throughout the house.  Two family members were in the house at the time but were swiftly extracted from the property by Falls Church Police.  The subject subsequently barricaded himself in the house.

Falls Church Police activated the Falls Church Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and requested mutual aid from Fairfax County Police Department and the City of Falls Church Sheriff’s Office.  The incident escalated as the subject became more agitated.  Additional mutual aid units were called throughout the 28 hour standoff including the City of Alexandria Police Department, Arlington County Police Department, Arlington and Fairfax Fire and EMS, regional SWAT teams, and the continued efforts of Fairfax County Police.

Just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26, the subject gave the Falls Church Police an opportunity for non-lethal use of force.  The subject subsequently surrendered to authorities and was immediately treated and transported to Fairfax Hospital.  Felony charges are pending and the investigation continues.

The Falls Church Police and the City thank the community for patience and support in a successful outcome of this event.

•    Residents of Hillwood Ave. may return to their homes.
•    Eastbound Hillwood Ave. will be open by the morning rush hour. The westbound lane will remain closed as the investigation continues.
•    Washington Gas is on the scene and is in the process of restoring gas utilities to all homes that experienced disrupted service.
•    Residents of the Hillwood neighborhood will have regularly scheduled trash and recycling collection on Wednesday, June 27.

10:33 pm:  The City has announced that the  stand-off on Hillwood Avenue has ended with the surrender of the individual involved.  Roads remain closed due to ongoing police investigations, however residents in the affected area are allowed back to their homes.  The eastbound lanes of Hillwood Avenue will be open by Wednesday morning’s rush hour.  Any utilities that were impacted are also anticipated to be restored by tomorrow morning.

5:30 pm:  During the 4 pm hour police officers temporarily lost contact with the man barricaded in a house in the 600 block of Hillwood Avenue.  After tear gas cannisters were fired into the house the man again picked up the telephone.   City spokesperson Susan Finarelli stated that officials continue to work for a peaceful resolution to the standoff, now over 24 hours old.

3:30 pm: Hillwood Avenue remains closed between Roosevelt and Cherry Streets and negotiations between police and an armed man that began at 1 am continue. Officials report no progress, and traffic is heavy on alternate routes of East Broad Street and Annandale Road. Arlington County officials also are on the scene, as are multiple television stations.

The City of Falls Church Communications Office issued this statement:

“Hillwood Ave remains closed from S. Roosevelt St through Cherry St. Residents within the barricaded area should continue to use caution. If those residents need to leave their homes, they should call police dispatch at 703-241-5053. If residents need to enter their homes, they need to speak with officers stationed on Hillwood Ave at Flagmaker Dr. Not all requests can be accommodated. Ideally, residents should stay in their homes or stay out of the neighborhood.

The City of Falls Church Police Department thanks its jurisdictional partners for assistance during this event. City of Alexandria police are currently on-scene; Fairfax SWAT and Arlington County police also assisted through the night and remain on call for further help.

The City also thanks its residents and business owners affected by the street closures. The City and everyone involved hope this concludes in a peaceful way.”

June 25, 11 pm: For nearly seven hours local police have attempted to resolve a barricade situation in the 600 block of Hillwood Avenue.  Shots reportedly were fired inside a house around 4:30 this afternoon, prompting an immediate response by City of Falls Church Police and Sheriff and Fairfax County Police.  The entire block has been cordoned off and some nearby houses evacuated.  Within the last hour police have inserted non-toxic gas into the residence but the gunman has not emerged.