ARLINGTON, Va. — A man armed with a knife was fatally shot by Arlington County police officers Friday night after a tense, hours-long standoff inside a 7-Eleven along Columbia Pike, according to authorities.
The regional Critical Incident Response Team is now leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, which happened May 8 at the convenience store near South Monroe Street.
Police say officers were first called to the area around 6:19 p.m. for reports of a disorderly man outside the store. When officers arrived, they encountered the suspect outside the 7-Eleven. According to investigators, the man produced a knife, ignored commands from officers and then went inside the store.
Officers quickly set up a perimeter around the business and helped employees and customers safely evacuate the building.
As the situation unfolded, investigators determined the suspect had threatened a woman as she was entering the store before police arrived. Authorities said the victim later went to the Office of the Magistrate, where warrants were obtained charging the suspect with assault and obstruction of justice.
Police said the suspect barricaded himself inside a back room of the store. Negotiators and officers spent several hours attempting to peacefully resolve the standoff and convince him to surrender.
Around 9 p.m., officers breached the back room door in an effort to take the suspect into custody. Police say the suspect displayed a knife, prompting two officers to open fire. The suspect was struck during the encounter, and investigators recovered a knife at the scene.
Medics transported the suspect to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities identified him as Shawn Valn, 33, who police said had no fixed address.
Two officers were also taken to a hospital as a precaution after the shooting and have since been released.
In keeping with department policy, both officers involved have been placed on routine administrative leave while the investigation continues.
The Critical Incident Response Team will complete the investigation before forwarding its findings to the Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for an independent review.
The shooting drew a heavy police response Friday night along one of Arlington’s busiest commercial corridors. Portions of Columbia Pike remained blocked off for hours as investigators processed the scene.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703-228-4180.