US Park Police chief confronted about deadly shooting of Bijan Ghaisar
WASHINGTON - For nine months the chief of the U.S. Park Police has not publicly spoken about the fatal shooting of Bijan Ghaisar by two of his officers. The shooting turned highly controversial after Fairfax County police released a video recorded on an officer's dash cam that showed the 25-year-old accountant from McLean being shot to death.
Park Police have never given an explanation as to why two of its officers pursued Ghaisar down the George Washington Parkway, pulled their guns on him when he stopped twice during the pursuit and then shot him when he stopped a third time.
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Just before the shooting, Ghaisar was involved in a minor fender-bender after he was rear-ended on the parkway near Slaters Lane. No one was injured, but the driver of the vehicle that struck Ghaisar's SUV called 911. What was said on that call has never been revealed.
FOX 5's Paul Wagner confronted U.S. Park Police Chief Rob MacLean about his silence regarding the matter while he was entering a news conference about the upcoming Unite the Right demonstration.
MacLean refused to address Ghaisar's death, stating "it was not the time."
Following the press conference, MacLean exited through a side door where Wagner confronted him again, but again, MacLean refused to comment on the shooting.
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D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said she believes MacLean and Park Police officials are being instructed not to address the shooting.
"The videotape really implicates the Park Police. I think that accounts for why they don't want to be forthcoming. They are very much open to liability. I am sure their lawyers told them don't talk," she told FOX 5.
Fairfax County Police Chief Ed Roessler Jr., who ordered the release of his officer's dash camera which captured the chase and shooting, is also calling for answers.
"Our profession needs to become more transparent," Roessler said. "I would like more information. I would like a resolution to this matter. We have a family that is grieving. My prayers are always with them and everyone involved in this, including the law enforcement officers. We need to be more transparent."