Virginia police officer acquitted of manslaughter in shooting death of shoplifting suspect, convicted on firearm charge

Former police officer Wesley Shifflett was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter but convicted of reckless handling of a firearm in connection with the fatal shooting of shoplifting suspect Timothy McCree Johnson outside a shopping mall in Virginia. Shifflett claimed self-defense during the trial, stating he feared Johnson was armed, leading him to shoot. However, prosecutors argued that Shifflett’s decisions, including chasing Johnson into a dark wooded area at night, were reckless and constituted the reckless discharge of a firearm. The bodycam video shown in court was inconclusive about whether Johnson reached into his waistband. The prosecution faced challenges in presenting their case, with a special grand jury eventually indicting Shifflett. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis fired Shifflett for violating use-of-force policies, but the video’s ambiguity led to a lack of clarity. The conviction on the reckless handling of a firearm charge offers some closure to the Johnson family, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. The trial faced delays, including a mistrial concern raised during closing arguments. Shifflett will be sentenced in February, facing up to 5 years in prison for the felony charge.

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