WASHINGTON — The Virginia State Police are investigating the shooting of a 17- year-old teenager by a Purcellville, Va., police officer Saturday afternoon.
According to state police, the Purcellville Police Department responded to a call regarding a teenager who had been threatening suicide at a residence on the 100 block of Frazer Drive. When an officer arrived on scene and approached the male subject, the subject, armed with a knife, lunged at the officer, according to a release on Saturday night.
The officer shot the teen, who was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The officer was not injured in the incident.
The teenager’s remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for examination and autopsy.
The Virginia State Police’s “Police-Shooting Investigative Team” from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Fairfax Field Office is conducting the investigation into the incident. Once the investigation is complete, the investigative report will be turned over to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for review and final adjudication, according to the state police release.
“To ensure our citizens a thorough and independent review of this incident, I have asked the Virginia State Police to conduct the investigation. My department is fully cooperating with the state police,” said Chief Darryl Smith, Purcellville police chief.
“In accordance with department policy, the officer involved in this shooting has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on the WTOP Facebook page.
