Man arrested after standoff in Mount Vernon area
Police arrested a 52-year-old man Tuesday night after an hours-long standoff with officers in the Wessynton neighborhood, according to the Fairfax County Police.
Police said in a press release that George Collins faces assault charges after he was taken into custody safely by officers from the FCPD’s Special Operations Division. The officers entered his home, located in the 3100 block of Cunningham Drive (see map) around 11:30 p.m., about five hours after the standoff began.
No injuries were reported by police.
According to police, officers were originally called to the house “for the report of a man acting erratically and threatening others in the home with a hammer.”
Collins was outside the home when police arrived, but allegedly ran inside upon seeing officers and refused to surrender, the police said.
Crisis negotiators and a tactical team were called to the scene, and a warrant for assault on a household member was obtained, police said.
In 2016 Collins was arrested for allegedly pulling a knife on police officers during another incident in the Wessynton area. Because the case was tried in Fairfax County Circuit Court, which does not post the outcome of criminal cases online, it’s unclear whether Collins was convicted or not.
George was my friend for a long time after 9th grade English class. We stayed friends until our 30’s when we lost contact, not due to animosity but distance mostly. I never knew George to be violent at all, ever. Ever. He was so “mellow” and mild. I don’t know what happened to my old friend but if he needs help I hope he gets it.