A Virginia State Police trooper is accused of shooting and killing a pit bull during the evening of March 8.
Trooper Daniel Campbell, 28, assigned to the Fairfax Division, was arrested Friday by Manassas Park Police detectives. He is charged with discharging a firearm in a public place and one count of cruelty to an animal.
Police were called to the area near the Manassas Park Community Center and Dog Park around 9:45 p.m. on March 8 for gunshots fired. When officers arrived, they found a tan colored pit bull, suffering from a single gunshot wound.
The dog was rushed to an emergency animal hospital, where it died from its injuries.
Virginia State Police supervisors were alerted to the incident on March 16 and got in touch with Manassas Park Police detectives. In accordance with state police policy, Campbell is on unpaid leave from the department, pending outcome of the investigation.
The supervisors have also started an internal investigation of the incident. Investigators have not release any possible motive behind the shooting.
