Man in Stolen U-Haul Shot after Attacking Officer

Today, the surveillance and body camera footage from May 11 assault and attempted disarming of an officer that led to two officers deploying deadly force in the 6300 block of Richmond Highway was released. 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. The video will be posted on the Department’s YouTube page. Per YouTube’s policy, viewers may be requested to sign into a YouTube account to verify their age.

Watch Chief Davis’ press conference here.

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

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

(Original release date: May 22, 2023)

Mount Vernon District – The criminal and administrative investigation continue after the assault and attempted disarming of an officer that led to two officers deploying deadly force on May 11, in the 6300 block of Richmond Highway.

Brandon Lemagne, 38, of Newport News, was struck in the upper body after attacking and attempting to disarm a police officer. He was declared deceased at the scene. Master Police Officer Kenyatta Momon, a 24-year veteran, and Police Officer First Class Christopher Grubb, an 8-year veteran of the department discharged their firearms. Both officers are assigned to the Mount Vernon District Station. Both officers are on restricted duty status until the investigation is complete.

The body-worn camera will be released within 30 days of the incident in accordance with the department’s guidelines.  

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

(Original release date: May 12, 2023)

Mount Vernon Police District – Brandon Lemagne, 38, of Newport News has been identified as the man who assaulted an officer then forced him into his cruiser leading to two officers discharging their firearms.

At 4:06 p.m. yesterday, Lemagne passed a license plate reader which alerted officers to a stolen U-Haul in the area. An officer saw the U-Haul in the 6300 block of Richmond Highway, in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County. Lemagne pulled the U-Haul into the gas station parking lot, exited the vehicle then walked away. The officer can be seen on surveillance footage speaking with Lemagne then the two walk towards the officer’s cruiser.

The officer told Lemagne he was going to be detained for driving the stolen U-Haul. Lemagne then attacked the officer. He immediately grabbed the officer’s firearm and tried to remove it from the holster. Lemagne held onto the officer’s holstered firearm, assaulted the officer by striking him in the head and pulled him across the parking lot in an attempt to disarm him.

Lemagne then opened the officer’s cruiser door and forced the officer into the vehicle. During the assault, the vehicle was placed into gear and rapidly accelerated backwards with the officer trapped underneath Lemagne. The officer radioed for emergency assistance and told dispatch the suspect had his firearm.

As the cruiser drove in reverse, two community members’ vehicles were struck. The cruiser then struck a business and came to a stop. Lemagne continued his assault on the officer as two officers arrived on scene.

One officer discharged his firearm as Lemagne remained on top of the officer inside the cruiser. A second officer arrived on scene and attempted to remove Lemagne off the officer. He was able to pull Lemagne off the officer and out of the cruiser. The officer then discharged his firearm.

Lemagne was declared deceased at the scene. The victim officer was taken to a nearby hospital and was treated for his injuries. He was later released. The officer’s duty belt remained on the officer during the assault with the firearm holstered. The holstered firearm was pulled from his hip to the front of the officer’s waistband. The U-Haul was confirmed to be stolen from Richmond on May 3.

The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as a 24-year veteran and an eight-year veteran both assigned to the Mount Vernon Police District. As per department policy, the officers have been placed on restricted duty status, pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigation. 

The criminal investigation into the use of force is being conducted by the Major Crimes Bureau. The body worn camera footage will be released within 30 days in accordance with the department’s guidelines. The results of the criminal investigation will be presented to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Our Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting an administrative investigation in accordance with policy, along with an independent review by the Police Auditor. The names of the officers will be released within 10 days and in accordance with the Department’s policy.

To watch Chief Davis’ press conference from the scene, click here.

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

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