Judge Orders Release of Info in Shooting Death of Man by Fairfax Co. Police

A local judge has ordered the release of information in the shooting death of a Virginia man by Fairfax County Police last year.

Much of the details surrounding the August 2013 death of 46-year-old John Geer has been kept under wraps.

Fairfax County Police responded to Geer's Springfield home for a domestic disturbance. The mother of Geer's two children told police there were weapons in the home. 

A 40-minute standoff ensued, while Geer stood in the doorway of the home negotiating with police.

An officer then fired a single shot at Geer. His family argues police took another 40 minutes to help him, during which time they say Geer bled to death. 

"Why was Mr. Geer shot? His hands were above his head, [he was] a threat to no one and he was shot in the chest," Geer family attorney Mike Lieberman said.

Geer's father, Don, was outside the home watching the incident unfold and 16 months later, he said local police refuse to answer what exactly happened that day.

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"I would like to know primarily the reason why [he was shot]. What instigated someone pulling a trigger and killing my son?" Don Geer said Friday. "I don't know any much more than I did the day of the shooting."

The Geer family filed a $12 million lawsuit against Fairfax County Police Chief Ed Roessler and the three unnamed police officers involved.

Monday, News4's David Culver confirmed a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge has ordered the department to release details into what exactly led to Geer's death -- including the name of the police officer who shot Geer. Police have 30 days to release that information.

County attorneys told a judge they didn't want to release the identities of the officers involved, fearing they'll anger the Justice Department which is investigating the shooting. However, feds have said they're not restricting Fairfax County Police from discussing the shooting itself.

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