A former police officer in Virginia was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter but convicted of reckless handling of a firearm in connection with the fatal shooting of a shoplifting suspect outside a shopping mall. The incident occurred in February 2023 outside Tysons Corner Center.
The former police sergeant, Wesley Shifflett, testified in his defense, claiming self-defense. He stated that he shot and killed the unarmed suspect, Timothy McCree Johnson, after seeing him reach into his waistband during a foot chase. Shifflett expressed fear for his life, believing Johnson might be drawing a weapon.
Prosecutors argued that Shifflett acted recklessly by firing two shots in a crowded area without clear evidence of a threat. They criticized his decisions leading up to the shooting, including chasing Johnson into a wooded area at night without waiting for backup.
The bodycam video shown to jurors was inconclusive regarding whether Johnson reached into his waistband. It captured Shifflett yelling commands before firing the shots and later claiming he saw Johnson reaching for a weapon.
Following the shooting, Shifflett was fired by the Fairfax County Police Chief for violating use-of-force policies. The release of the bodycam video raised questions about the incident's circumstances.
The trial faced delays, including a change in prosecutors and concerns about mistrial. Shifflett will be sentenced for reckless discharge of a firearm, a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
The case highlights the challenges in holding police officers accountable for misconduct and the complexities of interpreting use-of-force incidents.
