A George Mason University law professor and former U.S. Commerce Department official apparently shot and killed himself and his 12-year-old son attheir McLean home following a police standoff Thursday night.

Fairfax County police found the bodies of William Lash III, 45, and his son in a first-floor bedroom of the residence at 1433 Pathfinder Lane around 3:50 a.m. Friday. The discovery came about six hours after hearing two successive gunshots from the building, police spokesman Richard Henry said.