Police investigating incident involving officer who shot a woman threatening him with a knife

The home where a police officer shot a resident who threatened him with a knife. [WUSA9]

A Fairfax County police officer who shot a woman in North Springfield has been placed on a “restricted duty status” after he shot a woman July 19 who charged at him with a knife in her hand. 

A criminal investigation into the use of force is being conducted by the Major Crimes Bureau, the FCPD announced July 21. Footage from the officer’s body-worn camera and the 911 call for service will be released when it no longer jeopardizes the integrity of the investigation.

FCPD Chief Kevin Davis has also directed the Internal Affairs Bureau to conduct an administrative investigation in accordance with policy and called for an independent review by the police auditor. 

The officer has been identified as a 14-year veteran who is assigned to the Special Operations Division. The name of the officer will be released within 10 days, unless the chief of police has determined there is a credible threat to the safety of those involved or if additional time is required to thoroughly complete the risk assessment process.  

The 30-year-old victim was a resident of a group home for people with intellectual disabilities at 8009 Gosport Lane, close to Ravensworth Elementary School. She is in custody and remains in the hospital,  where she is being treated for gunshot wounds. 

Officers responded to the home at 5:18 p.m. after a caretaker called 911 to report a woman was threatening to harm herself and others inside the home. Four people were home at the time.

When two officers entered the home through the back door, the woman charged at them with a large knife. According to Davis, she told the officers she was going to kill them. 

Officers ordered her to drop the knife, but she refused. At that point, one of the officers discharged his service weapon, striking her in the abdomen. The police have not released the name of the woman.