Franconia Homicide Suspect in Custody

Fairfax County police have a man in custody in connection with a homicide in Franconia.

A 32-year-old man apparently was struck with a blunt object by his roommate in their town home on Hydrangea Drive Friday morning, police said.

"Whatever weapon was used is still within the residence,” Officer Bud Walker said.

Police used a helicopter, K-9s and bloodhounds to search for Eric Kweder in the densely wooded areas surrounding the housing development. They arrested the 34-year-old four hours later about five miles away. He is charged with murder.

The SWAT team, which was in the area for a training exercise, also assisted with the search for Kweder.

Police would not talk about the dispute that led to the killing, but they confirmed that the call for help at 10:15 a.m. came from inside the home -- possibly from the victim or suspect.

“We were called, by 911, someone asking for medical assistance,” Walker said. “So that’s why we responded to this residence.”

Police searched then towed away a blue Ford Mustang parked one block from the murder scene, but they would not say how it tied into their investigation.

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