Police ID suspect in Herndon shooting. @fairfaxpolice: 32-year-old Mohammad Azim Doudzai. t.co/IFmumGMagJ
Mohammad Azim Doudzai has been identified as the man shot and killed by Fairfax County law enforcement after a hostage situation.
The hostage situation unfolded January 16 after a report that two men were shot in an apartment in the Virginia community.
It eventually led to an officer-involved shooting that left Doudzai, 32, dead.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Two Brothers Were Also Shot in the Incident
#UPDATE: Herndon shooting suspect killed by police in hostage standoff identified t.co/pRQxFqynOU
NBC Washington reported that police were alerted to the situation when two brothers called 911 and said they had been shot.
The men announced that they were going to drive themselves to the hospital, and they were not fatally injured, the television station reported.
The Fairfax County police reported on Facebook while the incident was unfolding, “We’re in the 13300 block of Covered Wagon Lane in Herndon. Officer’s initially responded around 2:41 p.m. for a report of two victims who had been shot. Officers set up a perimeter around the home to contain the situation and attempt to talk to the suspect.”
2. Doudzai Set a Fire to the Townhouse
@fairfaxpolice continue to investigate officer-involved shooting of suspect after hostage situation & shooting at Herndon townhouse Monday
The suspect was holed up in the Herndon townhouse when police arrived, and he set it ablaze, according to WTOP-TV.
Doudzai then started firing a handgun at police, reported WTOP-TV. Washington 4 reported that police threw a flash grenade into the home, and that negotiators tried to talk Doudazi to leave the townhouse peacefully.
3. A Hostage Inside the Residence Couldn’t Breathe
UPDATED: Barricade suspect shot and killed at home of double-shooting and 2-alarm fire in Herndon: t.co/PpnHkXFh3Y
The fire was fierce enough that it turned into a two-alarm fire, and the hostage inside, a male, called police and “said he couldn’t breathe,” WTOP-TV reported.
The hostage was treated for smoke inhalation but was not injured, according to WJLA.
“Negotiations and SWAT responded to assist. During the incident, it appears the suspect started a fire in the home and also fired several shots inside the home. There were reports the officers also discovered there was a hostage in the home,” Fairfax County police said.
4. The SWAT Team Then Shot Doudzai to Death
Doudzai was shot and killed when he emerged from the townhouse with a knife, reported WJLA-TV.
The suspect had “lunged” toward officers when he was shot, according to Fox 5.
“Officers made several attempts to have the suspect exit voluntarily. At one point, the suspect exited, armed with what appeared weapon, and advanced toward the officers. An officer fired his weapon and struck him. He was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” Fairfax County police said.
Doudzai’s Facebook page says he was a DJ who had attended a community college a few years ago.
Mayor Lisa Merkel wrote on Facebook, “You may have heard news of a domestic dispute with an officer involved shooting in Herndon today. Rest assured it was not within the Town limits and did not involve the Herndon Police Department. The incident occurred near McNair Farms, south of the toll road. Hoping everyone involved is okay.”
5. Police Say the Motive Was an Argument
The bizarre set of events started because of an argument inside the residence, reported Fox 5.
When officers arrived at the scene, they saw smoke rising from the apartment and heard a shot fired inside of it, the television station reported.
According to ABC News, police are still investigating the suspect’s connection to the victims.