Tragic Incident Involves Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor
ANNANDALE, Va. — Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax and his wife, Selina Fairfax, were involved in a tragic shooting incident at their home, say local law enforcement officials. The details surrounding the incident, which occurred overnight, are still being investigated.
Police Chief Kevin Davis held a news conference Thursday morning, revealing that the couple was at their residence in Annandale, a suburb of Washington, D.C., when the shooting took place. According to Davis, Fairfax fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. The couple’s eldest son reportedly called 911 shortly after midnight.
Davis confirmed that the shooting took place in two different locations within the home: Selina was shot in the basement, while Justin later went upstairs to the master bedroom to shoot himself. The authorities have characterized the incident as stemming from a domestic dispute, linked to what has been described as a complicated divorce. Despite living together, the couple had separate bedrooms.
In the preliminary stages of their investigation, police learned that Justin Fairfax had reportedly been served with divorce paperwork shortly before the incident, which may have triggered the tragic events. Chief Davis commented, “Detectives will figure it out. That may have been the spark.”
Investigators have executed a search warrant to collect evidence from the scene, including the firearm used in the shooting. Police tape surrounded the Fairfax residence as officers worked at the site, and by mid-morning, stretchers loaded with bodies were seen being transported from the home.
Justin Fairfax, 47, served as Virginia’s lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022 and previously spoke out against the growing issue of gun violence. His political career has not been without controversy; in 2019, he faced calls for resignation after two women accused him of sexual assault. The allegations included claims from Meredith Watson, who alleged that Fairfax raped her while they were students, and Vanessa Tyson, who accused him of forcing her to perform oral sex.
Earlier this year, Fairfax made a police report alleging that Selina assaulted him, but responding officers later confirmed that the incident did not occur based on surveillance footage. Fairfax has denied the allegations against him, stating that his encounters with the women were consensual and has called for a federal investigation.
