Bodycam released in fatal Fairfax Co. officer-involved shooting of stolen U-Haul suspect
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Fairfax County police on Thursday released the body camera footage of a deadly officer-involved shooting involving a man suspected of driving a stolen U-Haul earlier this month.
"Our officer was attacked, to say the least," said Chief Kevin Davis. "The perpetrator attempted to viciously and violently disarm our uniformed Fairfax County police officer, I think you saw that. On top of that, he was literally abducted and taken hostage in his own police car."
7News is choosing not to share the full video on-air or online due to its nature. You can click here to watch the full video. Viewer discretion is advised.
RELATED | Man suspected of stealing U-Haul dies after Fairfax officers shoot him following 'attack'
Police said the footage shows a U-Haul, driven by 38-year-old Brandon Lamagne of Newport News, Virginia, pulling up to a gas station near a McDonalds in the Mt. Vernon section of Fairfax County on May 11.
Police said the U-Haul had been reported stolen and that Lamagne used someone else’s ID to rent the vehicle. So, an officer stopped and tried to detain Lamagne – who police are calling the assailant.
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) reported that the officer was involved in a "struggle" with Lamagne.
Moments later, police said Lamagne fought back and tried repeatedly to take the officer’s gun, who quickly radioed in that he was in distress. Authorities said Lamagne, during the struggle, opened the police cruiser’s driver-side door, pulled the officer into the vehicle, and hit the gas. At that point, the vehicle sped out of control crashing into a parked car.
“He was literally abducted and taken hostage in his own marked police car, "added Chief Davis.
Officers fired their guns during the struggle, killing Lemagne at the scene, police said.
“I think he said, to the perpetrator, at least six times, get off my gun, get off my gun, get off my gun. And I believe he made at least three radio transmissions to the effect of he has my gun, he has my gun, he has my gun,” said Chief Davis at a news conference Thursday.
Police said the body-worn cameras from the two responding officers show the terrifying incident’s conclusion.
An 8-year veteran fired multiple times from a distance toward the cruiser. Then, the body camera on a 24-year veteran police officer showed him pulling the perpetrator off of his fellow officer and firing multiple times.
While Chief Kevin Davis won’t comment on every aspect of this case, he did say the actions of his officers appear “more than appropriate” based on what we knew then and know now.
“I firmly believe the perpetrator, the assailant in this case, if he were to have lodged that gun free from the officer’s holster would have killed him, executed him. There’s no doubt in my mind,” concluded Chief Davis.
FCPD said no officers were injured by gunfire during the incident. However, one officer was injured in the fight with the suspect.
A video posted to social media by a citizen journalist shows the encounter between the man and the officer. [WARNING: This video has explicit language and violence and some might not find it safe for viewing.]
SEE ALSO | Fairfax Co. police standoff ends with woman in custody, Richmond Highway reopens: FCPD
In the video, you can hear the initial shooting. You then see other responding officers pull the man from the marked patrol car and then you hear more gunshots. Davis said the responding officers had to pull the man off the officer in the car.
7News previously investigated Lemagne's past and found in 2015 in York County, Virginia, he was also accused of assaulting officers, in addition to a charge for allegedly escaping jail. Court records indicate prosecutors did not pursue the charges.
Lemagne has also faced many fraud and money-related charges over the years, according to court records.
As per department policy, the officers involved have been placed on restricted duty status, pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigation.
