Judge denies former police officer's petition to get his job back after killing unarmed shoplifting suspect

 

Prosecutors sought charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless handling of a firearm after police say a Fairfax County officer shot and killed a shoplifting suspect near the Tysons Corner Center mall. A grand jury decided not to indict him. News4’s Julie Carey reports.

A judge denied a petition by a former Fairfax County police officer to get his job back after he shot and killed a suspect earlier this year.

In February, Wesley Shifflett killed 37-year-old Timothy Johnson, who was accused of shoplifting from Tysons Corner Center. Johnson was unarmed.

Approximately a month later, Shifflett was dismissed from his job as a police officer.

Police Chief Kevin Davis said Shifflett did not meet the expectations of the department and did not follow use-of-force protocols.

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Last month, Shifflett petitioned the court to return to his position, arguing that the county did not follow a legal grievance process when he was fired.

Earlier this month, a Fairfax County judge ruled in favor of the county and denied Shifflett's petition.

In April, a county grand jury declined to indict Shifflett on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a firearm in Johnson's death.

The Fairfax County prosecutor has requested a second grand jury to review the case and consider possible charges.