A former police officer in Virginia was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter but convicted of reckless handling of a firearm in connection with the fatal shooting of a shoplifting suspect outside a shopping mall. The incident occurred in February 2023 outside Tysons Corner Center.
The former police sergeant, Wesley Shifflett, testified in his defense, claiming self-defense. He stated that he shot and killed the unarmed suspect, Timothy McCree Johnson, after seeing him reach into his waistband during a foot chase. Shifflett expressed fear for his life, believing Johnson might be drawing a weapon.
