WASHINGTON– Prince William County Police have released new information on the Aug. 17 officer-involved shooting in Woodbridge, Virginia, which they say was justified given the circumstances.
A preliminary review of the incident has been completed. Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Paul Ebert said in a statement that, “the officer was justified given the circumstances and acted appropriately.”
According to the release, police were called to a home on Tory Loop in Woodbridge at around 6:30 p.m. for a domestic dispute. Yonatan Marufe, 25, and his stepmother, 47, were involved in an argument inside the house. Marufe’s stepmother told police that he had broken a door. She also told police that Marufe had a history of mental illness.
Officer Hector Figueroa, believing that Marufe may have been in the process of harming himself, went to the upper floor where Marufe was last seen.
Marufe, armed with a knife, stepped in front of Figueroa as he reached the top of the steps. Police say he raised the knife towards Figueroa and the stepmother. As Figueroa moved back away from the knife, he lost his footing and fell down the stairs, running into the stepmother.
Police say Marufe continued down the stairs, aggressively advancing on Figueroa and the stepmother with the knife. At this point Figueroa pulled out his gun and shot once towards Marufe, hitting him in the shoulder.
Marufe was transported to an area hospital with a non-life threatening wound and was released later that night. Officer Figueroa and the stepmother suffered injuries from the fall down the stairs, and they were also treated at an area hospital. Police say both are expected to make a full recovery.
Marufe has been charged with two counts of attempted malicious wounding. Marufe remains in custody at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center. A preliminary court date is set for October 14.
Police Chief Steve Hudson stands by Figueroa’s actions.
“I fully support the officer’s actions in this case and feel they were justified with the situation he faced.”
Figueroa has been a law enforcement officer for more than 30 years, and has been with Prince William County Police for eight years.
