Officer-Involved Shooting in Springfield Town Center Parking Lot

Chief Kevin Davis Releases Body-Worn Camera Footage From Springfield Town Center Officer-Involved Shooting

Chief Davis has released the body-worn camera footage and in car video from the June 30 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.

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

For the link to the unedited version of the in-car video footage, click here.

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

(Original release date: July 10, 2022)

Franconia Police District – On June 30, officers found Christian Parker, 37, of Reston, in the Springfield Town Center parking lot. Parker was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon, larceny of a firearm, brandishing a firearm and discharging a firearm within a home. Parker entered his vehicle as officers approached. Three officers gave Parker several commands to show his hands. Preliminarily, it appeared Parker reached across the passenger seat and retrieved a firearm. At least one of the officers observed a firearm in Parker’s hands and alerted other officers. The officers gave multiple commands to Parker to drop the firearm. Parker disregarded these repeated commands, and Police Officer First-Class Daniel Houtz and Officer Ryan Sheehan discharged their firearms. PFC Houtz is an eight-year veteran of the Franconia Police District Station and OFC Sheehan is a two-year veteran of the Mount Vernon Police District Station. Both officers were assigned to the Summer Crime Initiative Team.  

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.  

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

(Original release date: July 1, 2022)

Franconia Police District – At approximately 4:30 p.m. yesterday, officers were attempting to locate Christian Parker, 37, of Reston, who was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon, larceny of a firearm, brandishing a firearm and discharging a firearm within a home. Detectives from our Fugitive Track and Apprehension Unit learned Parker was in the area of the Springfield Town Center. Detectives coordinated with the Summer Crime Initiative team to help find Parker. This seasonal team of officers focuses on suppressing crime during the summer months.

Officers found Parker in a parking lot and positioned their vehicles in a manner to prevent Parker’s escape. Parker entered his vehicle as officers approached. Three officers gave Parker several commands to show his hands. Preliminarily, it appeared Parker reached across the passenger seat and retrieved a firearm. At least one of the officers observed a firearm in Parker’s hands and alerted other officers. The officers gave multiple commands to Parker to drop the firearm. Parker disregarded these repeated commands, and two officers discharged their firearms. Officers then broke the window to Parker’s vehicle and entered the locked car. Officers rendered aid until Fire and Rescue personnel arrived. Parker was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Parker was wanted after an incident on Sunday at his home in the 2000 block of Royal Fern Court in the Reston Police District. A family member reported Parker stole a firearm from the home and pointed the weapon at a relative. Parker then discharged the firearm inside the home. The incident was reported more than 10 hours after it occurred. No one was injured at the time of the reckless discharge. Officers obtained warrants for Parker and notified our Fugitive Track and Apprehension Unit. Our officers worked throughout the week to find Parker, eventually finding him in the Springfield parking lot.

The two officers involved in the shooting have been identified as an eight-year veteran of the Franconia Police District Station and a two-year veteran of the Mount Vernon Police District Station. Both officers were assigned to the Summer Crime Initiative Team.

Per department policy, the officers have been placed on 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 officers 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 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’ press conference from the scene, click HERE.

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