Springfield Man Kills Himself With Chainsaw In Domestic Assault

SPRINGFIELD, VA—A man that police say assaulted his wife is dead after taking his own life with a chainsaw Wednesday in Springfield.

Around 3:30 p.m., police responded to a domestic assault with a weapon in the 7500 block of Springfield Hills Drive. Investigations show a family member tried to get into the house and saw the suspect assaulting his wife. The victim, a 76-year-old woman, had been hit with the blunt side of a hatchet.

The family member helped the victim exit the house, but the suspect followed them. A struggle began over the weapon, and the man went back into home after authorities were notified. The victim's injuries were not critical.

Police found the 70-year-old suspect, her husband, in the home’s garage with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police are not releasing the identify of the suspect to protect the victim.

Image via Fairfax County Police