Ex-Officer Sentenced for Reckless Shooting in Virginia

Former Fairfax County police sergeant Wesley Shifflett was sentenced to three years in prison following his conviction for reckless firearm handling in the 2023 shooting death of unarmed shoplifting suspect Timothy Johnson. The incident occurred after Shifflett and another officer chased Johnson into a wooded area near Tysons Corner Center Mall, where Shifflett fired the fatal shots. Initially, a grand jury declined to indict Shifflett, but a special panel later charged him, marking only the second indictment of an officer in the department's history. Shifflett's defense argued he acted in self-defense, fearing Johnson was reaching for a weapon, although none was found. Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano emphasized the case's focus on accountability and community trust in policing. While Shifflett plans to appeal the conviction, Johnson's family expressed a desire for justice and healing.