Husband Charged With Wife's Murder In Woodlawn

WOODLAWN, VA — A husband has been charged with his wife's murder after a shooting early Sunday in Woodlawn, according to Fairfax County Police.

Around 3:19 a.m., police were called to the couple's home in the 7900 block of Central Park Circle for a report of a shooting. Police entered the home and found the husband and wife with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The wife, Daphne Saunders-Johnson, 59, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The husband, James Johnson, 62, has critical injuries but is stable.

Detectives believe James Johnson shot his wife before shooting himself. The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to confirm the cause and manner of death. A gun was recovered from the home.

In consultation with Fairfax County's Commonwealth's Attorney, James Johnson was charged with second degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He will be taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center upon his release from the hospital.

This was the 15th homicide in Fairfax County in 2022. By this time in 2021, there were 17 homicides. The Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division is providing resources to the victim's family.

Resources are available for people experiencing domestic violence. To contact the 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline, call 703-360-7273 (TTY 711).