Fairfax Police Release Fatal Traffic Stop Footage

Fairfax County Police released body-camera and GoPro footage from an April 23 traffic stop in which Jamal Wali, a 36-year-old father of four and former translator for U.S. military forces, was killed and two officers were wounded. Wali was pulled over for speeding and expired plates, disclosed he was armed, and became increasingly agitated before opening fire and injuring two officers with a single bullet. Officer Ian Lachapelle returned fire, fatally shooting Wali, and was credited by the police chief for saving the lives of his colleagues. Investigations by the Major Crimes and Internal Affairs bureaus are ongoing to determine if charges should be filed. The footage was released under a transparency policy, with authorities acknowledging the impact on Wali's family and the officers involved. Police Chief Kevin Davis emphasized the tragedy of the incident and the importance of transparency.