Two educators were wounded in a shooting incident at a childcare facility in northern Virginia on Wednesday. The suspect, now in police custody, allegedly opened fire at the center. The Fairfax County Police Department confirmed that the injuries sustained by the women were not life-threatening. They were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
In a press briefing later that day, Deputy Chief Brooke Wright of the Fairfax County Police Department assured the public that all children at the facility were safe and unharmed. Wright emphasized, “All children have been released to their parents or guardians. None of the children at this location were harmed.”
The police were alerted to the incident around 2:15 p.m. The shooting took place at the KinderCare center on Bauer Drive, and officers were swiftly dispatched to the scene.
The alleged shooter has been identified as 41-year-old Julio Pascual Sejas from Arlington. Wright encouraged anyone with information about Sejas to contact the police. Later that evening, it was announced that Sejas had been apprehended at Dulles International Airport.
Eyewitnesses reported that Sejas had arrived at the childcare center in search of a woman he had previously been involved with. It remains unclear whether the woman, a teacher at the center, was Sejas’ current or former partner. Sejas reportedly fired three shots through the front door with a pistol after failing to gain entry. Fortunately, none of the more than 70 children present at the time were near the shooting.
Sejas is now facing several charges, including two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and three counts of shooting into a school building.
In the aftermath of the incident, KinderCare issued a statement expressing their concern for the injured teachers and their families. The company reassured parents that the safety of the children in their care is their utmost priority and that their staff is trained to handle emergency situations. The childcare center will remain closed for an indefinite period to allow the community time to recover. Families in immediate need of care are being individually assisted.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.