The Fairfax County Police Department released body camera footage Wednesday after an officer shot and wounded a man last month in Lorton.
An officer shot Michael Vaughn, 34, on Feb. 15 after police say he emerged from a van parked on a suburban street while holding a rifle.
Video shows Vaughn lying in the street as an officer pointing a gun at him repeatedly shouts, “Do not move.” The officer opened fire after police say Vaughn repeatedly ignored commands to put down the rifle.
The commonwealth’s attorney cleared the officer who opened fire.
We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter — The 4Front. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox.
Chief of Police Kevin Davis defended the officer's actions.
“This is one of those scenarios that we’re going to be using for years, I imagine, in our police academies,” he said.
Vaughn recovered from his injuries and was charged with assault on a police officer and credit card theft, among other charges. He also had outstanding warrants for his arrest.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Officers responded to a report of a suspicious van in the 8300 block of Fitt Court at about 8 a.m. Feb. 15, police said.
Officers checked the vehicle’s license plate and found that the tags came back as stolen, police said. Officers were waiting for the van to be towed and had been on the scene for about an hour when Vaughn suddenly opened a side door.
Officers had opened the back door of the van, which was packed with items, and apparently did not see the man, police said. It's possible he was hiding, they said.
Vaughn was taken to a hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.
One officer suffered a minor injury, Davis said. That same officer pulled a tow truck driver out of harm’s way when she saw the man’s rifle.
Investigators found that Vaughn had a loaded rifle, two additional magazines of ammunition and a BB gun.
