Warrants Served on Suspect in Officer-Involved Shooting

Franconia Police District – Chief Davis has released the body-worn camera footage, 911 calls and radio traffic from the Feb. 15 officer-involved shooting. The following information is based on the preliminary and ongoing investigation. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed. Per YouTube’s policy viewers may be requested to sign into a YouTube account to verify age. For the recording of Chief Davis’ press conference, click here. A link to the video with closed captioning can be found here.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.

For the link to the unedited version of the body worn camera footage, click here.

(Originally published on March 1, 2022)

Franconia Police District – This morning, Michael Vaughn, 34, was charged with two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of schedule I/II drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of credit card theft, and petit larceny. The warrants were served, and Vaughn continues to be held at the Adult Detention Center without bond.  

(Originally published on February 17, 2022)

Franconia Police District – On Feb. 15, officers were called to the 8300 block of Fitt Court in Lorton for a suspicious Kia Sedona parked in a residential neighborhood. During the investigation, the officers determined the license plate on the van was reported stolen. While furthering their investigation, they requested a tow truck to assist with opening the van. The tow truck driver opened the driver and rear sliding door. As the doors opened, Michael Vaughn, 34, emerged from the rear driver-side sliding door holding a carbine-style rifle. Police Officer First-Class Trevor Jones discharged his firearm to end the imminent threat to all human life present. The officer directly involved is a two-year veteran of the Department and is assigned to the Franconia District Station. Vaughn was served with two outstanding warrants and remains at the Adult Detention Center without bond. The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is continuing to review the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident and will determine if Vaughn will face additional charges. 

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @FairfaxCountyPD. 

(Originally published on February 17, 2022)

Franconia Police District – A 34-year-old man remains hospitalized after brandishing a firearm at officers, which led to an officer-involved shooting. Officers were called at 7:58 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15 to the 8300 block of Fitt Court in Lorton for a suspicious van parked in a residential neighborhood for at least 24 hours. The first officer arrived at 8:12 a.m. and found a red 2008 Kia Sedona with tinted windows and curtains inside, separating the driver and passenger compartments. The officer attempted to look inside the van, but the view was obstructed. The officer then began knocking on the windows but did not receive any indication someone was inside.   

A second officer arrived as back up, they determined the North Carolina license plate on the van was reported stolen out of South Carolina. Due to the stolen license plate, officers requested a tow truck for the van. As officers began the procedure of inventorying the van for it to be towed, they found a Virginia license plate in the rear cargo area. The Virginia license plate matched the VIN of the van. Officers then contacted the owner of the van to determine who may have been driving it. 

As officers spoke to the owner of the van, the tow truck driver arrived and opened the driver’s door. An officer pushed a button inside the van, which opened both rear sliding doors. As the doors opened, the officer observed Michael Vaughn holding a carbine-style rifle and emerging from the rear driver-side door. The officer and the tow truck driver quickly took cover in front of the tow truck. Vaughn was given several commands, but he refused to comply. One officer discharged their firearm, striking Vaughn twice in the upper body. Officers immediately rendered aid until fire and rescue personnel arrived. Vaughn was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were later determined not to be life threatening. One officer was taken to the hospital for injuries that were not considered life threatening. 

The rifle Vaughn possessed was loaded, and two additional loaded magazines were found attached to the weapon. Officers also discovered Vaughn had a replica pistol on his person.

Vaughn was arrested on Feb. 16 for two outstanding warrants for failure to appear and a probation violation. Once Vaughn is released from the hospital, he will be taken to the Adult Detention Center. These warrants stem from previous charges of possession of a firearm while in possession of certain substances and selling a schedule I/II drug that occurred on March 18, 2021. When Vaughn violated his probation, a warrant was issued on September 2, 2021. A second warrant was issued on September 22, 2021 when Vaughn failed to appear in court on the original charges.

The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident and will determine if additional charges will be placed.

The officer involved in the incident has been identified as a 2-year veteran who is assigned to the Franconia Police District Station. Per department policy, the officer has been placed on a restricted duty pending the outcome of an administrative investigation by our Internal Affairs Bureau. An independent review will also be conducted by the Police Auditor. The name of the officer will be released within 10 days, unless there is a credible threat to the safety of those involved or if additional time is required to thoroughly complete the risk assessment process. 

A criminal investigation into the use of force is being conducted by our Major Crimes Bureau. The department will release body camera footage and audio recordings of the 911 call for service within 30 days or when it no longer jeopardizes the integrity of the investigation. 

All information provided in this release is based on preliminary investigative findings and may be subject to revision as the investigation progresses. 

To view Chief Davis’s press conference at the scene, click here.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.