Machete-wielding man arrested after barricade in Merrifield, police say

A man reportedly spotted brandishing a machete in Merrifield was arrested yesterday (Tuesday) after five hours of negotiations with police.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of Livingstone Lane in the Merrifield at Dunn Loring Station apartments at 6:13 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 7) after a man called 911 to report someone with a machete.

Based on a description given by the 911 caller, officers identified the man as a 35-year-old Merrifield resident who had multiple outstanding warrants from the Vienna Police Department, according to an FCPD spokesperson.

After initially being unable to locate the man, officers found him sitting inside a parked vehicle at 11:49 p.m. on Monday in the same block.

“Officers initially attempted to have [the man] exit the vehicle, but he refused,” the FCPD said in a news release. “After [he] continued to refuse officers’ directions, additional officers from FCPD’s Special Operations Division, Crisis Negotiations Team, and Crisis Response Team responded to assist with the barricade.”

Negotiations continued until 4:55 a.m. yesterday, when Special Operations Division officers managed to arrest the man with help from a K9 unit. The man was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after getting bitten by a police dog, according to the FCPD.

Officers found a machete in the vehicle.

The man has been charged with two counts of simple assault, brandishing a bladed weapon, and obstruction of justice. He was also served the six outstanding warrants from Vienna police, who didn’t immediately respond when asked about the charges.

Per the FCPD, the man is currently in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.