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Fairfax County police officers opened a Mantua apartment door on Feb. 23 and found a man kneeling over his wounded son-in-law with a 12-inch blade, newly released body-camera footage shows.

Officers repeatedly ordered 54-year-old Chhatra Thapa to drop the knife. When he raised it, an officer opened fire. Thapa was shot multiple times and died at the scene.

Police said Thapa fatally stabbed his wife, 52-year-old Binda Thapa, and his daughter, 33-year-old Mamta Thapa. His son-in-law was seriously wounded and remained hospitalized nearly a month later.

Mamta and her husband’s 1-year-old son was not injured.

Officers Respond to Screams Before Dawn

Police were called around 5 a.m. to an apartment in the 3900 block of Persimmon Drive after neighbors reported hearing screams and a woman banging on their door.

As officers approached through the snow, they encountered Mamta outside the apartment screaming for help. When they opened the door, they saw Thapa holding a knife over his son-in-law.

Police Chief Kevin Davis described the weapon as a Nepali chopping knife known as a dau, which is designed to butcher meat and cut through bone.

Much of the graphic body-camera footage was blurred. Davis said the concealed area included the couple’s baby and Binda, who was on the floor after being stabbed.

After Thapa was shot and dropped the knife, officers began treating the victims and called in Fairfax County Fire and EMS personnel. Body-camera audio captures responders coordinating how to remove the wounded and reach another victim on a mattress.

Binda and Mamta were taken to a hospital, where both were pronounced dead. Officers carried the baby to safety, and the child is now living with the son-in-law’s family.

Davis said he believes the officer’s quick response prevented two additional deaths.

“If not for the actions of our police officer — heroic, decisive, disciplined actions — we would have had two more victims on our hands,” Davis said.

Motive Remains Unknown

Investigators have not determined what prompted the attack. Police had received no previous calls involving the apartment, and Thapa had no criminal record.

The son-in-law told investigators he had been outside clearing snow when he heard a disturbance. After returning inside, he found that his wife had already been stabbed and saw Thapa attacking his mother-in-law.

According to Davis, the son-in-law said there had been no argument that morning or the previous night.

Davis said investigators know Thapa had experienced mental health challenges, but that information has not explained what led to the deadly violence.