WASHINGTON — A Northern Virginia sheriff’s deputy shot his daughter in their Winchester, Virginia home garage because he mistook her for an intruder, authorities say.
After his home alarm sounded, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Easton McDonald thought someone was breaking into his home when he saw a dark figure moving toward him. He fired his own gun only to discover the person was his own 16-year-old daughter, according to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.
The teen, a student at Millbrook High School, apparently sneaked out of the house and was returning home early Tuesday morning, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Donnie Lang told The Washington Post.
In his rush to get his daughter to the hospital, McDonald crashed his car, authorities say. She is at Winchester Medical Center and is currently listed in stable condition from a gunshot wound to the torso area.
According to a press statement, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office says it first received a 911 call about the incident at 3:34 a.m. from the home located in the 400 block of Lilly’s Way. The caller said he was transporting the shooting victim to the hospital and the line disconnected. Another 911 call was received at 3:43 a.m. from Winchester Police Department reporting that a Winchester Police officer was out with a single-vehicle accident at East Lane and Cork Street where one of the occupants had a gunshot wound and was being transported to the Winchester Medical Center. Deputies responded to the 400 block of Lilly’s Way where the 911 call originated and secured the scene.
McDonald is a 13-year-veteran with the force. He was promoted in 2012 and has received a commendation award. McDonald is now on administrative leave during the investigation.
WTOP Reporter Jamie Forzato contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on the WTOP Facebook page.
