Police: Herndon Suspect Killed by Officer Shot His Own Brothers

Update: In May, the Fairfax Co. commonwealth's attorney said there would be no charges filed against the officer.

The man shot and killed Monday by a police officer in Fairfax County, Virginia, shot his own brothers and held his roommate hostage, police say.

Mohammad Azim Doudzai, 32, died Monday after a police officer shot him outside his home. Police say Doudzai shot two of his brothers, set his home on fire with his roommate still inside and then lunged at police with a knife.

The police department released new details Tuesday on the mayhem they say began with an argument between Doudzai and his girlfriend. Police say Doudzai and the 28-year-old woman fought at his home on the 13300 block of Covered Wagon Lane.

Doudzai's girlfriend called two of his brothers, and they went to the house to talk with him. Doudzai then shot his brothers, who are 23 and 37, police said.

The girlfriend and Doudzai's two brothers fled the townhouse, headed to a hospital and called police about 2:40 p.m.

As officers responded to the townhouse, they heard gunshots coming from inside. Then, they saw smoke coming from the third floor.

Doudzai's roommate, a 29-year-old man, hid in a room upstairs and called 911. He said he could not escape.

Police negotiators talked with Doudzai by phone, but he refused to cooperate, police said.

"The fire meanwhile is growing more intense, but keep in mind that the fire department cannot make entry when there is someone inside shooting, and now there have been multiple gunshots from inside this house," police spokeswoman Julie Parker said on the scene Monday evening.

Video shot from Chopper4 appeared to show police throw a flash grenade into the home. The devices are used to stun the targets.

The aerial video then showed a man step out of the home. Then, he went back inside. Moments later, he stepped outside a second time.

Police say he was holding a knife and lunged toward the officers.

That's when an officer shot him.

Officers helped the man who was being held hostage and took Doudzai to a hospital, where he died.

A woman who said she was a close friend of Doudzai's wept as she described her shock at what police say he did.

"He really, really cared. And he cared so much about his brothers. He didn't mean to do that," the woman said. She asked News4 not to identify her.

Doudzai was a Woodbridge High School graduate who worked as a mechanic, she said. His friend said she often called him "Azim the Dream." She said Doudzai was engaged to the woman police described as his girlfriend.

Neighbor Monique Tran, who was ordered to leave her home as police and fire fighters responded, described Doudzai as friendly. He often helped neighbors who had car trouble.

"He very nice. He said, 'Hi, I can help you,'" she said.

No information on Doudzai's brothers' condition was available.

The gun and knife police believe Doudzai used were found at the home.

The officer who shot Doudzai is a 16-year veteran of the department. He was placed on routine administrative leave during the investigation.

Anyone with information for police is asked to call 703-691-2131, send a text message with TIP187 to CRIMES or visit www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org.