Fairfax Police Searching for Answers in Triple Slaying

Police personnel remove vehicles for evidence at the crime scene. (Gerald Martineau - Washington Post)

Norico said he didn't want to discuss what happened other than to say, "We had an unfortunate and unwelcomed incident last night, in a neighborhood that has been, and will continue to be, a nice family neighborhood."

Lyerly said: "It's scary. It's scary that the guy's still out there."

Terence and Ryan Strope are the sons of Christopher Strope, a retired Arlington County police officer and executive director of both the Virginia Coalition of Police Officers and Sheriff's Deputies and the Maryland Coalition of Police Officers and Sheriff's Deputies. Christopher Strope did not answer requests for comment yesterday.

"Terry was a very good guy," said Steve Setliff, a friend who had visited the house recently. "I think he had his problems, like all of us, but he was not a violent person at all."

Neighbors said that friends frequently gathered at the Stropes' house, which they were renting, but they did not suspect anything illegal. Terence Strope ran a contracting business, Capitol Concrete Solutions.

Dinora Gonzalez, who lives next door, said workers from his business often came by on Saturdays to get paid. Yelicie worked at a credit union in the District. A man who arrived to pick up Ryan Strope for work yesterday said he was a contractor in Tysons Corner.

Terence and Ryan Strope graduated from J.E.B. Stuart High School, where Ryan Strope played in the marching band. "I feel like the world has really lost something special with Ryan's passing," Tanya Morningstar, who was also in the marching band, said.

On the day he died, Yelicie wrote on his Facebook page, "Andres is swamped at work . . . but is loving life right now." Friends said he loved the Washington Redskins, online poker and playing soccer.

He graduated from Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Kamal Azzouz, a longtime friend, said Yelicie was "probably the most humble, laid-back guy I ever met." He said Yelicie had lived with the Stropes for only a couple of months and was planning to move out soon. "He loved hanging out with his friends and family," Azzouz said. "Every time I picture him, I picture him smiling."

Staff writer Amy Gardner contributed to this report.