Civil rights probe launched in police shooting
The FBI has launched a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of an unarmed man by a Fairfax County police officer in November, an FBI spokeswoman said Friday.
Prosecutors said David A. Masters, 52, of Fredericksburg was shot as he rolled away from police officers who had pulled him over on Route 1 near Fort Hunt Road on Nov..13. Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh said the officer who fired thought Masters had struck another officer with his Chevrolet Blazer and was reaching for a weapon, and ruled the killing justifiable Wednesday. The other officer was not struck and Masters did not have a gun.
Lindsay Godwin of the FBI’s Washington field office said she did not know if a civil rights complaint was filed or the FBI initiated the probe. The investigation was first reported by WTOP Radio (103.5 FM).
— Tom Jackman
By
Washington Post Editors
|
January 29, 2010; 6:36 PM ET
Categories:
Fairfax
,
Police Shootings
,
Tom Jackman
,
Virginia
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Posted by: jnrentz@aol.com | January 31, 2010 10:48 AM | Report abuse
Sounds like this officer is GOING TO PRISON!
Posted by: steampunk | February 1, 2010 9:37 AM | Report abuse
Police Powertripping....
Posted by: rockettonu | February 1, 2010 1:18 PM | Report abuse
A judge needs to the throw the book at this officer, just to set an example, that this type of behavior is not going to be tolerated in one of our nation's richest counties.
It does not seem like the officer's life was in immediate danger, therefore, no reason, to use lethal force. Put him under the jail in a federal prision cell.
Posted by: TMinc | February 1, 2010 4:16 PM | Report abuse
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To the officer:
Get a trained and experienced criminal defense attorney with a federal practice, especially in civil rights law. Do NOT give a statement to the FBI without your attorney.