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Police Identify Knife-Wielding Suspect Fatally Shot By Police At Rosslyn Metro Station In VA

New details have been released by the Arlington Police Department after a tense encounter at the Rosslyn Metro Station turned deadly when an officer was forced to shoot and kill a knife-wielding suspect earlier this week.

Rosslyn Metro station in Arlington

Rosslyn Metro station in Arlington

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Ben Schumin

Cedric Butler, 27, who has no fixed address, has been identified by investigators on Friday afternoon as the person who was killed in an officer-involved shooting this week.

It all started around 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 10, when officers responded to a call about a suspicious man inside a business on the 1500 block of Wilson Boulevard. 

The man - later identified as Butler - reportedly struck up a conversation with employees before pulling out a knife from his pocket and then walking out, police said.

Two officers tracked down someone matching the suspect’s description on the top floor of the Metro station, at which point things took a turn.

During the officers' attempt to detain him, Butler allegedly pulled out a knife, triggering a physical struggle, according to the Arlington County Police Department. 

One of the officers fired their gun, striking Butler, police said. 

Despite officers providing life-saving aid, the man was pronounced dead at a hospital. 

A knife was recovered at the scene, and both officers involved were hospitalized — one for non-life-threatening injuries and the other for a medical evaluation. 

Both have since been released.

The officers have been placed on administrative leave while the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) investigates. The case will ultimately be reviewed by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

It remains under investigation.

Check Daily Voice for updates.

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