Philip Austin Brant : “Manassas School Stabbing: Suspect Shot & Killed by Police”

MANASSAS, Va. – The Prince William County Police have officially identified both the suspect who was shot and killed by officers at a Manassas technical school on Tuesday, as well as the victim who tragically lost their life due to the stabbing.

According to the police, the incident took place in a classroom at the JATC/NECA school located in the 7000 block of Infantry Ridge Road. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Philip Austin Brant, was present in the classroom with several other students when he suddenly approached another student and pulled out a knife from his backpack, initiating the attack on the victim.

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds, causing panic among the students inside the classroom, who immediately fled the scene. Brant then exited that classroom and proceeded to enter another classroom, where he stabbed a second victim.

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The initial victim of the stabbing collapsed inside the classroom where the altercation began, while the second victim managed to exit the building but collapsed in the parking lot.

Police received multiple 911 calls reporting the stabbings starting around 3:20 p.m. Within minutes, the first officers arrived at the scene and quickly approached the building, where they encountered Brant at the entrance door.

The officers immediately engaged with Brant, who was still armed with the knife, and ordered him to drop the weapon. However, Brant refused to comply and instead started moving towards the officers.

In response to the imminent threat, two uniformed police officers fired at Brant, striking him. Tragically, Brant was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the arrest of the suspect, additional officers conducted a thorough search of the building and discovered the two victims of the stabbing. Both victims were immediately transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

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Unfortunately, Elijah Islam Safadi succumbed to his injuries and tragically lost his life. The other victim, a 23-year-old man from Fairfax whose identity has not been released, remains in critical condition.

The investigation into this shocking incident is being led by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Prince William County Police have confirmed that both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

As the investigation continues, further details will be released by the authorities. If you have any information related to this incident or may have witnessed it, please come forward and contact the police.