WASHINGTON — Prince William County Police say the actions of an off-duty sheriff’s deputy, who accidentally shot a man when aiming for a suspect, were “justified” in a news release on Tuesday.
The shooting occurred on May 24 after 11:15 p.m. at the 7400 block of Willoughby Lane in Manassas, Virginia, police say.
The adult victim was not identified, but police say his injuries were not life-threatening and he has since been released from the hospital.
Herson Isaias Zelaya, 19, of Manassas, was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer and assault by mob on May 30.
Police responded to Willoughby Lane after a call was received about shots fired, where they located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
Investigations revealed that a large group had been actively fighting, when at one point, one person took out a firearm and shot multiple times into the air of the parking lot, police say.
Before police could arrive, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy and a security resident of the apartment complex confronted the group. The deputy was armed but not in uniform, officials say.
Police say Zelaya was armed with a weapon and ran from the scene, at which point an on-foot chase began between him and the deputy.
During the on-foot chase, Zelaya dropped the weapon, then turned back to retrieve it. Police say he continued to ignore commands from the deputy.
The deputy then shot one round from his department-issued gun. The nearby victim, who police say was part of the group that had been fighting, was struck by the ricocheting bullet.
Police say that they consulted with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for Prince William County and determined that the shooting was “justified.”
After further investigation of the initial fight, a 16-year-old male was also charged May 30 with reckless handling of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a juvenile.
Prince William County Sheriff’s Office is continuing a separate investigation, though Prince William County Police Department say their department remains the lead agency in handling the investigation.
Below is a map of the area where the shooting occurred.
