ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An 82-year-old man was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in his Fairfax home Tuesday afternoon, and police say he was killed by his son.
Officers were sent to the 5500 block of Justis Place around 2:37 p.m. Tuesday for a death investigation. According to Fairfax County police, Talat Hassanein was found unconscious at the bottom of the basement stairs, in the house where he lived with his adult sons. Medics were summoned, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives say that Hassanein was found with "significant trauma" to his upper body, and it was determined that his death was not accidental. Police believe Hassanein's 36-year-old son, Samy Hassanein, fatally assaulted his father. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Police say they've been called to the house repeatedly, and neighbors say there had long been bad blood between the father and both his sons.
"We can't peer into homes, but what we can tell our community is that if there is violence in your home, if someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, resources are available, we are here to help," said Sgt. Tara Gerhard, a spokeswoman for Fairfax County Police.
"It's very scary, because I've known these guys almost since they were born," said a neighbor who only wanted to give her name as Elsa. The Hassaneins have lived next to her for decades, and she said the father and the older son would come over to her home for parties, but never Samy.
"His father married a younger woman in Egypt, kicked his first wife out of the house when he came back, and the kids had this against the father," Elsa said.
Neighbors say the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, Samy hung a Russian flag from the electric wire outside his window. He argued with his brother about it, but the flag still hangs there now, faded from the sun.
Other neighbors say they never saw the strife. One, a college student who would only give her name as Isa, says the Hassaneins have lived next door for as long as she can remember. "He used to always bring us presents from Egypt," she said of Talat Hassanein. "The sons would too. They were all super, super nice people."
Samy Hassanein is being held without bond at Fairfax's Adult Detention Center. His first court appearance date is not yet known.
The investigation into Hassanein's death is ongoing, and police ask anyone with relevant information to call 703-246-7800 (select option 2). Anonymous tips can also be sent through the Crime Solvers bureau by calling 1-866-411-8477.
The number for the Fairfax County 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline is: 703-360-7273. But if it's an emergency, call 911.