Man Breaks into Home and Fatally Shot

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Fair Oaks Police District – Detectives continue to investigate Wednesday night’s fatal shooting believed to be in self-defense.

At 6:08 p.m. officers responded to a home in the 11400 block of Waples Mill Road, Oakton, for the shooting. Officers found Eduardo Santos, 24, of Herndon, inside the home suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Santos was pronounced deceased by fire and rescue personnel.

Detectives determined the homeowner saw Santos on his property. The homeowner told Santos to leave. Santos then assaulted the homeowner with a stick. The homeowner attempted to retreat inside the home. He was tackled by Santos and injured in the fall. The homeowner was able to make it into his home and he retrieved a firearm. Santos entered the home with a large landscaping rock and advanced toward the homeowner. Santos made it several feet into the home before he was shot. The homeowner was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Detectives continue to investigate to determine what led Santos to the home. Inside the home were two other adults and two children, no one else was injured. Detectives do not believe there is a relationship between Santos and the occupants of the home.  

After canvassing the area, detectives determined Santos was in the area Wednesday afternoon for several hours. Officers received two calls for service involving Santos acting suspicious. On one occasion, officers found him, but no crime was established. Santos refused to speak to police, and he walked away from the area. During the second incident, Santos was not found.

Anyone with information about Santos is asked to call detectives at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App and follow the steps to “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.  

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the family is receiving appropriate resources and assistance.

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