A violent incident on the Capital Beltway near Washington, D.C., left two people and a dog dead Sunday afternoon after a man allegedly carried out a stabbing spree before being shot by police.
According to Virginia State Police , troopers were called to the Interstate 495 around 1:17 p.m. ET following reports of a road rage incident tied to a vehicle crash.
When authorities arrived, they found four people suffering from stab wounds and a man armed with a knife. Police said the suspect refused commands to drop the weapon and was shot by a state trooper. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Victims Identified
Among those stabbed were a 39-year-old woman and a dog, both of whom died from their injuries, according to reporting by WUSA9 . The conditions of the other stabbing victims were not immediately released.
Officials said the incident is not believed to be terrorism-related.
Major Traffic Disruptions
The roadway was shut down from approximately 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. ET, creating significant traffic congestion across Northern Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation reported that the highway has since reopened.
Traffic cameras captured long lines of stalled vehicles, emergency responders with flashing lights and at least one vehicle attempting to drive the wrong way to escape the gridlock.
Investigation Ongoing
The crash and subsequent stabbings remain under investigation. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those involved.
Officials say more information will be provided as the investigation continues.
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