Arlington, Virginia – A standoff with police took a dangerous turn on Monday evening when a suspect fired a flare gun and a firearm inside their home, causing the dwelling to explode. The incident occurred in the 800 block of N Burlington, prompting a swift response from Arlington County Police.
Authorities were initially alerted to the situation after receiving a report of possible shots fired in the neighborhood. Upon arriving at the scene at around 4:45 p.m., officers discovered that the suspect had discharged a flare gun approximately 30 to 40 times, posing a significant threat to the surrounding area. Fortunately, no property damage or injuries were reported as a result of the flare gun discharges.
Efforts were made to establish communication with the suspect, both through phone calls and loudspeakers. However, the individual remained unresponsive and barricaded inside the home. At approximately 8:25 p.m., while attempting to execute a search warrant, the suspect fired several rounds from what is believed to be a firearm, resulting in the explosion of the residence.
The Arlington County Fire Department swiftly arrived at the scene to extinguish the ensuing fire. By 10:30 p.m., the fire was under control, although crews continued to address small spot fires. Minor injuries were reported among the officers present, but no hospital transports were necessary.
In response to the incident, a shelter-in-place order was briefly enacted for the community, but was later lifted early Tuesday morning. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion is ongoing.
This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
