A police standoff inside a Columbia Pike 7-Eleven ended with gunfire.
Around 9 p.m. several ambulances were dispatched to the standoff on the 3600 block of Columbia Pike, after reports of shots being fired. One person — the wanted man who barricaded himself in the store — was reported to be shot multiple times by police and critically wounded. Medics were also sent to treat at least several officers for unspecified injuries.
The gunfire could be heard on video from the scene, posted by one of the numerous onlookers who gathered across the street to watch the hours-long standoff with the man, who was said to be armed with a knife.
The Arlington County Police Department said Sunday that the suspect was shot and killed after officers tried to take him into custody.
“The suspect barricaded himself inside a back room of the store. Over several hours, officers and negotiators attempted to safely resolve the incident and take the suspect into custody on the outstanding warrants,” ACPD said in a press release. “Around 9 p.m., officers breached the door of the back room to take the suspect into custody. The suspect displayed a knife and two officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect.”
“Medics transported the suspect to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased,” said the press release.
Police were initially dispatched to the 7-Eleven store at 3602 Columbia Pike around 6:30 p.m. for a report of a man in a high-visibility vest threatening people. When police arrived the man brandished a knife, leading officers to draw their guns, according to scanner traffic.
The scene was captured on traffic camera video by local public safety watcher Dave Statter.
NEW: This is video of the man reported with a knife as the standoff at the 7-11 on Columbia Pike in Arlington began. @ARLnowDOTcom reports the standoff ended with shots fired a short time ago. In this video, the first @ArlingtonVaPD officer, with his gun drawn, attempts to get… pic.twitter.com/msy3yEa7at
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) May 9, 2026
The man then crossed Columbia Pike, entered the store and refused to come out. A police negotiator, a K-9 unit, and drone operators were dispatched to the scene and all lanes of the Pike were closed around the store. Police say the suspect was a wanted man, with outstanding warrants for his arrest.
“The wanted suspect remains inside a convenience store in the 3600 Columbia Pike and officers continue to work to safely take him into custody,” Arlington County police said on social media just before 8 p.m. “All patrons and employees safely exited the store. Expect a continued police presence.”
Columbia Pike was blocked between S. Quincy Street and Glebe Road until early Sunday due to the police activity.
More, below, from the ACPD press release.
The regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is investigating an Arlington County Police Department officer-involved shooting which occurred inside a 7-11 convenience store on the evening of May 8, 2026.
At approximately 6:19 p.m., police were dispatched to Columbia Pike at S. Monroe Street for the report of a disorderly subject. Responding officers made contact with the suspect outside the 7-11 store, he produced a knife, ignored officer commands and entered the store. Officers established a perimeter and assisted patrons and employees with safely exiting the store.
While the suspect remained inside the store, officers investigated the original call for service and determined a female victim was entering the store when the suspect approached and verbally threatened her. The victim was transported to the Office of the Magistrate where warrants were obtained for the suspect’s arrest for Assault and Obstruction of Justice.
The suspect barricaded himself inside a back room of the store. Over several hours, officers and negotiators attempted to safely resolve the incident and take the suspect into custody on the outstanding warrants. Around 9 p.m., officers breached the door of the back room to take the suspect into custody. The suspect displayed a knife and two officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect. A knife was recovered at the scene.
Medics transported the suspect to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. He has been identified as Shawn Valn, 33, of No Fixed Address.
Two officers were transported to an area hospital as a precautionary measure and both have since been released. In accordance with department policy, the officers have been placed on routine administrative leave. Following completion of the investigation by CIRT, the investigative file will be forwarded to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for independent review.
This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
Footage sent in to us shows the initial response to what now is an armed barricade inside of the 7-Eleven in Arlington, Virginia 🚨
🎥: Follower Submitted https://t.co/sE58RPQZ0V pic.twitter.com/gXp45K5Gch
— The DC MD VA Live (@TheDMVLive) May 9, 2026
