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TextInternal Investigation Continues in Officer-Involved Shooting
Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release: 012710,2,111309 (maj)
January 27, 2010
Internal Investigation Continues in Officer-Involved Shooting
Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh has informed Colonel David M. Rohrer, Chief of the Fairfax County Police Department, today of his decision not to file criminal charges against the officer involved in the shooting of David A. Masters last November.
Questions surfaced immediately after the shooting on November 13, 2009, as to why the officer used deadly force against the unarmed Masters. The officer knew Masters had disregarded police lights and sirens and kept driving, and that he continued to ignore repeated verbal commands from officers attempting to stop the car. The officer saw a fellow officer spin away from Masters’ car and disappear from view and believed that officer had been struck by the car.
As he approached the car with his weapon drawn, the officer saw Masters making furtive movements with his left hand and believed he was trying to reach for a weapon. The officer fired two shots. One struck Masters’ left shoulder, transected his body and was recovered from his right side. One grazed Masters’ left shoulder.
Based on these and other facts, the Commonwealth’s Attorney has concluded the officer did not commit a crime.
In a brief statement, Col. Rohrer assured the Masters family and the public that, “we remain steadfastly committed to a thorough investigation of the incident and the policies and procedures involved.”
Departmental policy and procedures require a decision concerning possible criminal charges be made before specific portions of the internal investigation can occur. The decision today allows the internal investigation to proceed.
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