Two police officers are in the hospital after a 36-year-old man opened fire on them during a traffic check in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Wednesday. A third officer on the scene fatally shot him.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m. in the 4000 block of Majestic Lane, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). The location is close to Greenbriar Town Centre, a popular shopping centre in Chantilly with hundreds of stores.

According to FCPD, two officers were rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds to their arms. Their identities have not yet been released. Their injuries are not life threatening.

The gunman, whose identity has also not been revealed, was shot at the scene and later died in the hospital.

During a news conference, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis stated that one of the officers was conducting traffic enforcement when the suspect’s automobile pulled over “very abruptly” and slammed on the brakes.

The officer approached the car and spoke with the lone suspect, who was “immediately hostile” and confrontational, according to Davis.

He allegedly refused to identify himself or produce his registration, and informed the officer that he was armed.

As more officers came on the scene, the man reached for his revolver, which was holstered to a gun belt over his pants. He was repeatedly asked not to reach for the weapon.

According to Davis, body camera footage showed the guy removing a semi-automatic pistol from his holster, leaning back in the driver’s seat, and instantly opening fire on the two cops standing at the driver’s side door of his car.

A third uniformed Fairfax County police officer on the scene, assigned to patrol in the Fair Oaks district, noticed the gunshot from the opposite side of the automobile and fired at the suspect.

According to Davis, the two cops were shot while attempting to prevent the suspect from pulling his pistol. They did not shoot their weapons.

Officials declared the suspect dead at a local hospital.

All three policemen had body cameras, and footage was acquired from their in-car cameras.

“I’m certain that these officers are lucky to be alive,” Davis remarked. “I’m certain that they were fired upon by a gunman whose intention was to kill them, and I’m certain that the bravery exhibited by the third officer on the scene ultimately saved their lives.”

Two of the cops were long-time employees, with 18 and 19 years of experience. The other employee had only a few years with the department.

Davis stated that the suspect was acting “bizarre,” and that a toxicology analysis will be conducted at the autopsy to ascertain whether he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Fairfax County police closed Majestic Lane between Lee Jackson Highway and Meadow Hill Lane to conduct an investigation. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area and use an alternate route.

The incident on Wednesday was Fairfax County’s first officer-involved shooting this year.

In 2024, the county saw one officer-involved shooting.