Trial for Fairfax County officer who shot, killed unarmed man accused of theft begins
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - A Fairfax County police officer who shot and killed an unarmed man accused of stealing sunglasses from a department store at Tysons Corner appeared in court Wednesday.
Wesley Shifflett is charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a weapon in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Timothy McCree Johnson.
After opening statements, the commonwealth attorney called their first witness to the stand — a part-time Nordstrom worker who was assigned to the sunglasses section the day of the incident. She testified she saw Johnson take two sunglasses, then contacted the loss prevention team.
Former Fairfax Co. officer indicted in fatal shooting at Tysons Corner Center
RAW BODY CAM: Police officer indicted for fatal Tyson's mall shooting
Fairfax County Police Department released body camera footage from an officer-involved fatal shooting at Tyson's mall in March. On October 12, former Officer Wesley Shifflett was indicted by a special grqand jury on charges of manslaughter and reckless discharge of a weapon.
This was what led to the deadly encounter between Johnson and Shifflett.
The former Fairfax County police officer Wesley Shifflett has long said he thought Thompson was reaching for a weapon — no weapon was recovered.
The second witness who took the stand was an Assistant Asset Manager at the time. He testified to seeing Johnson with the sunglasses that day.
He also explained the protocol involved before the security team would apprehend someone.
Shifflett is pleading not guilty.