A Virginia couple was found dead inside their home in an apparent murder-suicide while three children were also inside the house, police say.
Fairfax County Police responded to a home in the 6300 block of Sharps Drive in Centreville around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, after a family member called 911.
When officers entered the home, they found 31-year-old Brandon Brown and his wife, 31-year-old Lavinia Brown, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel pronounced both dead at the scene.
Detectives with the department’s Major Crimes Bureau believe Brandon shot Lavinia before turning the gun on himself.
Police recovered a firearm and cartridge casings from the home.
Three children who live at the residence were inside when the shooting occurred, according to investigators.
None of the children were physically injured, although police have not released their ages.
Victim specialists were assigned to help the family obtain counseling, resources and other support following the tragedy.
Fairfax County Police spokeswoman Ingrid Palencia described the deaths as “something devastating that has occurred in this neighborhood.”
The shooting stunned people living in the normally quiet Centreville community.
Neighbor Kareem Badr told FOX 5 that residents generally considered the neighborhood safe and had not experienced incidents like this before.
“I can’t imagine what those kids are going through,” he said, adding that he hoped they had a strong family support system around them.
Another neighbor said the tragedy was especially shocking because violence of this magnitude was so unusual in the area.
Police have not determined what may have led to the shooting.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct autopsies to officially determine the cause and manner of both deaths.
The investigation remains ongoing.
