Timothy Johnson (2023)
Overview
On February 22, 2023, Johnson stole some merchandise from a store at a shopping mall. The store called the Fairfax County Virginia Police Department and Sergeant Wesley Shifflett responded. Shifflett chased Johnson through a parking garage, down the street, and into a wooded area. Johnson refused orders to get on the ground. Shifflett claimed that he saw Johnson reaching for his waistband, and he and Officer James Sadler fired at Johnson.[1][2][3]
Additional officers rendered aid to Johnson.[1]
Shifflett waited for permission to turn off his body-worn camera.[1]
Johnson was struck once in the chest, and died at the hospital.[2]
Sadler was placed on restricted duty.[4]
On March 23, 2023, Shifflett was fired as his actions showed "a failure to live up to the expectations of our agency, in particular use of force policies".[4]
On April 17, 2023, a grand jury declined to indict Shifflett in Johnson's death.[5]
In April 2023, the Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney requested a special grand jury review the case. Unlike during a regular grand jury, prosecutors at a special grand jury can call witnesses and influence the information that is being presented to the jurors.[6]
On October 12, 2023, a special grand jury indicted Shifflett on felony charges for involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a weapon.[7]
Video
- Fairfax County Police Department Press Conference, 2023-03-23
- Fairfax County Police Department Analyzed Video, 2023-03-23
- Officer Shifflett's Raw Body-Worn Camera Footage, (shown above), 2023-02-24
Officers Involved
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Full BWC Release, Fairfax County Police Department, 2023-02-24
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 BWC Release Video, Fairfax County Police Department, 2023-03-23
- ↑ Rashard Rose, Virginia officer fired after killing an unarmed man suspected of shoplifting, CNN, 2023-03-24
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Matthew Barakat, Police chief fires officer, releases video of shooting death, AP News, 2023-03-23
- ↑ Grand jury declines to indict former Fairfax County officer in fatal Tysons Corner shooting, FOX 5, 2023-04-17
- ↑ Colleen Grablick, Special Grand Jury Called For Fairfax Officer Who Fatally Shot Man Accused Of Stealing Sunglasses, DCist, 2023-04-26
- ↑ Colleen Grablick, Fairfax County Police Officer Indicted For Killing Man Outside Tysons Mall, DCist, 2023-10-13
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