Former Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax and his wife died in an apparent murder-suicide early Thursday.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said Fairfax shot his wife Cerina and then himself. Their children were home at the time of the shooting and called 9-1-1. Officers responded to the home in Annandale just after midnight. Davis said Fairfax and his wife had been in the midst of "an ongoing or messy divorce."
Justin Fairfax was a lawyer and former prosecutor when he was elected Lt. Governor in 2017. He was the first African American to hold the office. In 2019, he appeared poised to become governor when a photo of Ralph Northam wearing black face surfaced. Just days later, Fairfax faced his own crisis when allegations of sexual assault came to light. Fairfax denied the accusations and refused calls from other political leaders to resign from the office. Northam stayed in office as well. Fairfax ran in the Democratic primary for governor in 2021 but finished a distant fourth. He completed his term as Lt. Governor in 2022.
Cerina Fairfax ran a family dentistry practice in northern Virginia.
In a statement, current Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi called Thursday's news devastating. "My thoughts are with their children, loved ones, and numerous friends. Along with so many in the Commonwealth, I am filled with sorrow;"
Northern Virginia Delegate Garrett McGuire, who introduced several pieces of gun-related legislation during the last General Assembly session, called it a horrific tragedy.
"It just further highlights that gun violence is in our society every day," McGuire said in an interview. "And it affects everybody, no matter your status, where you live, how much money you do or do not have."
Republican House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore also called the event a tragedy. "My prayers are with the children and family."
In a statement, Governor Abigail Spanberger said she was deeply saddened by the incident. “This tragedy reminds us that domestic violence can occur in any family and in any place. Resources are available to support our neighbors experiencing domestic violence and facing mental health crises.”
If you or someone you know are in crisis and need help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.
