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.