Cops Fatally Shoot Suspect In Manassas Area, 1 Stabbing Victim Dead

MANASSAS, VA — Police are releasing more details about the fatal officer-involved shooting of a stabbing suspect at a Manassas apprenticeship center in Prince William County Tuesday. One of two victims in the stabbing died.

Officers responded to multiple 911 calls around 3:23 p.m. for an active stabbing in the 7000 block of Infantry Ridge Road, an apprenticeship training center for electrical and telecommunication workers. Police had learned two people were stabbed in a classroom and that the suspect still had a knife while other students were present. The first responding officers found the suspect armed with a knife at the entrance door.

According to police, officers ordered the suspect to drop the knife, but the suspect moved toward the officers. Two officers opened fire, striking the suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are still investigating what led the suspect to stab two victims. According to police, the suspect had pulled a knife from a backpack and stabbed the first victim several times. Those in the classroom dispersed as the suspect continued the attack. Once the suspect left the classroom, he found and stabbed a second victim in another classroom.

The first victim collapsed in the classroom, and the second was able to get to the parking lot. Both men were taken to the hospital, and one died of his injuries. The second remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Police found two stabbing victims on the scene involved in the original altercation. One has died, and the other remains in critical condition at the hospital.

The suspect was identified as Philip Austin Brant, 26 of Woodbridge.

The deceased victim was identified as Elijah Islam Safadi, 23, of Manassas. The 23-year-old surviving victim is a man from Fairfax.

Police Chief Peter Newsham has requested a Critical Incident Response team to independently investigate the officer-involved shooting. The two involved officers were placed on paid administrative leave pending results of an investigation.

The incident happened at the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee's Manassas Training Center, which trains electrical and telecommunication workers. The center said it is closed for classes through Feb. 16.

Witnesses or anyone with information can contact police at 703-792-7000 or submit a tip to pwcva.gov/policetip. Tips will be given to the independent Critical Incident Response team investigators.