No one on the scene saw or heard John Geer
speaking to a neither “trained negotiator” nor have the cops provided any photographs or film
recording the trained negotiator, or provide the negotiators name.
Where are the photographs of the supposed holstered
gun in the hallway? Are their two signed reports from two different cops
declaring that they both found the gun in the hallway?
The
police report leaves out the fact that the cops didn’t enter the property for
almost an hour after they shot Geer and as a result, he bled to death and that
the other weapons found on the property where under lock and key.
In the end, none of that matters.
They’ll get away with this one too and nothing will change.
Statement from Fairfax County Police:
The Fairfax
County Police Department reports that the Circuit Court of Fairfax County has
determined that the department may release some information pertaining to the
August 29, 2013, officer-involved shooting of John Geer, even while the
investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
On August 29,
2013, Fairfax County police officers responded to a call by Geer's domestic
partner reporting a domestic dispute with Geer. Officers spoke to the
complainant and Geer outside their residence. Geer was reported as having
multiple firearms inside the home, displaying a firearm that he threatened to
use against the police, and refused the officers' requests that he remain
outside and speak to them. Officers, including a trained negotiator, attempted
to peaceably resolve the situation. They spoke with Geer for more than thirty
minutes as he stood in the doorway of his home.
When Geer began
lowering his hands at one point during the negotiations, PFC Adam Torres fired
a single shot that struck Geer. Geer immediately retreated inside the home and
shut the front door. Geer did not answer the officers' calls and offers of
medical aid. A SWAT Team and a hostage rescue vehicle were used to effectuate a
safe approach and entry into the home. Once inside, the SWAT officers, who were
accompanied by a tactical paramedic, found Geer deceased. A loaded, holstered
firearm was recovered on the landing of the stairs to Geer's left where he had
stood in the doorway and seven more firearms were recovered inside the home.
This matter is
the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice and an
internal, administrative investigation by the Police Department. Officer
Torres, who has been employed by the Police Department for eight years, was
placed on administrative duty following the incident and remains so pending the
outcome of the criminal and administrative investigations.
Chairman Sharon Bulova's Statement
Chairman Sharon Bulova's Statement
On behalf of the
Board of Supervisors, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family
and friends of John Geer. Any untimely death is a tragedy, and our Board
continues to be extremely frustrated and disappointed with the amount of time
it has taken for this investigation to come to a resolution.
I am pleased
that the information and details we are releasing today are now available to
the public. This breaks the logjam that has prevented the sharing of
information that the public and the Geer family have been requesting. In the
Geer case, there are three separate investigations and a civil lawsuit. The
County has policies in place to avoid interfering with and jeopardizing open
criminal and civil cases. The court order resolves staff concerns regarding
what could and could not be shared.
This is an
unusual and complicated situation for Fairfax County. Our current policies
regarding a police involved shooting do not address the unique situation where
the Commonwealth's Attorney refers a case to federal investigators. Our Board
will thoroughly review these policies to make sure we are consistently
responsive and transparent with regard to police incidents and public safety
concerns.
In Fairfax
County, we have worked very hard to build trust within the community,
especially with the Police Department, and our policies must reflect this.
Statistically,
Fairfax County is the safest jurisdiction of its size in the United States and
I am very proud of our public safety professionals who help to make that
happen. In Fairfax County, our police officers enjoy a strong and positive
partnership with the community they serve and protect. Each of our eight Police
Districts has a Citizens Advisory Committee that meets regularly. At these
meetings, residents of the area have the opportunity to learn of safety issues
in their community and share information that is of concern to them.
Additionally, the County's Neighborhood Watch programs operate with strong
support from and collaboration with our Police Department. All of our Fairfax
County high schools and middle schools benefit from specifically trained School
Resource Officers.
As Chairman, I
have made it a point to ride throughout the County with the Police Chief on
National Night Out and I can tell you that the community's trust and appreciation
of our police officers is enormous. Most recently, Chief Roessler established a
Police Department Diversity Council, consisting of representatives of our
County's minority populations, to help ensure law enforcement's sensitivity to
the many cultural differences that exist within our community.
The unique
positive relationship that our Police Department has established with the
community they serve is significant. This has helped to foster trust of public
safety and is a major factor in keeping our crime rate extraordinarily low.
While this has been a unique and complicated set of circumstances, our Board is
committed to making sure Fairfax County policies will not result in delays
should similar situations arise in the future.
Fairfax County
has provided all information and materials requested in order for these
investigations to move forward. We join with the Geer family and the community
in urging a fair and timely resolution.
