Knife-Wielding Man Fatally Shot By Cop At Woodbridge Police, Fire Station: Police

May 16, 2025 update: Cop Fatal Shooting Of Knife-Wielding Man Results In No Charges

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A knife-wielding man was killed in an officer-involved shooting at a Prince William County police and fire station property Thursday morning, according to police.

The shooting happened around 5:06 a.m. on the grounds of the Department of Fire & Rescue Station 26 and the Central District Police Station in the 5000 block of Davis Ford Road in Woodbridge. According to police, an officer was completing a shift when notified about a man in the fire station's back parking lot. The officer found the man with a knife, and police say the man started approaching the officer and waving the knife.

While the officer made commands to drop the knife, police say the man refused and continued moving toward the officer. At one point, the officer fired their weapon, hitting the man in the upper body. Additional arriving officers and fire and rescue personnel provided aid to the man. He was taken to the hospital but later died of his injuries.

The man was identified as Michael David Burke, 58.

Police say the shooting was contained to the police and fire station grounds. No officers, fire and rescue staff or residents were injured.

Police Chief Peter Newsham has requested an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting from the regional Critical Incident Response Team. The involved officer will be put on routine administrative leave during the investigation.