A police standoff in the Bluemont neighborhood of Arlington ended with a powerful explosion, which could be heard throughout the area.
A suspect involved in an ongoing incident with the police set off a massive fireball as law enforcement, including a SWAT armored vehicle, approached a duplex. Prior to the explosion, the suspect had been firing a flare gun multiple times near Fields Park.
Authorities directed residents in the vicinity to stay indoors and take shelter, while law enforcement personnel safely evacuated others from the area.
During the incident, Arlington County police encountered resistance from the individual inside the house, who fired shots in response to their attempt to enter the residence. A video capturing the explosive moment has been included below, although viewers should be advised that it contains strong language and disturbing imagery.
According to the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD), the suspect fired multiple rounds inside the residence as officers were in the process of executing a search warrant. Shortly after, an explosion took place at the same location. A thorough investigation is currently underway to determine the details surrounding the incident.
One neighbor, in the immediate aftermath, expressed their belief that the explosion had caused significant damage to the entire duplex. They also mentioned that the family residing next door had been evacuated before the explosion, but unfortunately, they lost their home.
As of 11:30 p.m., three hours after the explosion, firefighters were still actively working to put out small residual fires from the blaze. On-site investigators, including those from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, are currently present.
According to the initial information provided, paramedics were informed about the possibility of treating multiple burn patients following the explosion. However, the police later clarified that officers present at the scene reported only minor injuries and that no one required transportation to the hospital.
ARLnow spoke to several residents who shared their accounts of the massive explosion, recounting the shock and disbelief they experienced.
One person recounted that the explosion had such force that it actually shook their bed. They also mentioned that there was a strong and unpleasant smell in the air following the explosion. One individual mentioned that he was taking a shower when the incident occurred.
Dave Tran was startled when he felt a violent tremor shaking his entire house. Initially unaware of the cause, he quickly rushed outside and was met with a devastating sight – his entire house had been completely leveled.
According to Alex Wilson, the neighbor who captured and widely shared the video on social media, the resident of the home was actively shooting at the police while they attempted to gain access using the SWAT vehicle.
According to Wilson, as soon as they rammed the front door, he immediately began firing an AR back at them. He further mentioned that he witnessed at least one officer getting injured after the explosion.
According to Wilson, the man was able to walk, but he appeared to be holding his head in discomfort. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) took to social media to express his vigilance in overseeing the emergency response to a significant explosion in the Bluemont neighborhood of Arlington.
Beyer expressed his deep gratitude to the first responders who are tirelessly working to ensure the safety of the area and its residents. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that it is indeed a frightening one. Del. Patrick Hope (D), who is a resident of the area, shared his thoughts on X (formerly known as Twitter) after the explosion occurred.
“My family and I are safe, but our house trembled, and we witnessed the flames right from our front yard,” he expressed. “A heartfelt thank you to the ArlingtonVaPD and ArlingtonVaFD for their presence at this highly perilous situation tonight.”
At 8:25 p.m., the explosion occurred, approximately four hours after authorities were first dispatched to the residence located at the end of N. Burlington Street. The house is situated near Fields Park, Key Elementary, and Arlington Fire Station No. 2.
There were initial reports indicating that a man was barricaded inside his house, firing a flare gun through a window.
According to Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage, police were called to the 800 block of N. Burlington Street at around 4:45 p.m. following reports of possible gunshots. The initial investigation suggests that a suspect fired a flare gun from their residence. Fortunately, there have been no reports of any injuries or property damage.
The incident was still ongoing as of approximately 7 p.m.
According to Savage, the police are still at the scene, examining the details of the incident. The suspect has not been arrested yet as the investigation is still ongoing. As a precautionary measure, the Bluemont Junction trail is temporarily closed between N. George Mason Drive and N. Burlington Street.
One resident of the neighborhood recounted the unnerving experience of witnessing multiple flares being launched into the sky.
According to the witness, there were sightings of objects that resembled flares being launched into the sky. One particular object stood out – it appeared as a large red fireball with a tail, hovering just above the tree line and moving in a westward direction. The witness estimated that each sighting lasted for about 15 to 20 seconds, with several occurrences happening within a span of approximately five minutes.
The fire department’s explosive ordnance disposal units were dispatched to the scene around 7:30 p.m. The police have not yet disclosed any details about the suspect involved in the case, however, there might be some potential leads on a social media account.
James Yoo, the resident of the address where the police were initially dispatched, has been consistently sharing paranoid rants on his Linkedin account. In a recent post from three days ago, he expressed his frustration and anger towards his neighbors in the adjoining duplex unit.
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