An ex-police officer from Virginia has been acquitted of involuntary manslaughter but found guilty of a firearm charge after fatally shooting a shoplifting suspect last year outside a busy shopping mall. The jury’s decision came in the case involving former police sergeant Wesley Shifflett, who was a part of the Fairfax County Police at the time of the incident.
Prosecutors argued that Shifflett acted recklessly when he shot and killed an unarmed man, Timothy McCree Johnson, following a brief foot chase outside Tysons Corner Center in February 2023. Shifflett, in his defense, testified that he perceived a threat when Johnson reached into his waistband during the chase, leading him to fear for his life and respond with deadly force.
During the trial, the prosecution raised questions about Shifflett’s decisions prior to the shooting, including his pursuit of Johnson into a wooded area at night without waiting for backup or illuminating the area. The prosecution also criticized Shifflett’s choice to fire two shots in a crowded setting, leading to the firearm charge of reckless handling.
The bodycam footage presented during the trial was inconclusive as to whether Johnson had reached for a weapon, but it captured Shifflett’s commands to Johnson before the shooting and the victim’s statements after being shot. The case faced several delays, including the replacement of the lead prosecutor due to a medical issue and concerns over mistrial during the closing arguments.
Following the jury’s verdict, Shifflett is set to be sentenced in February for the firearm charge, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The case highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in making split-second decisions in potentially dangerous situations, emphasizing the complexities of use-of-force policies and accountability within police departments.