Police share bodycam video of VA woman shot after attacking cop with knife

[KARAH RUCKER]

NEWLY RELEASED BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE SHOWS THE MOMENT AN OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED A WOMAN DURING A WELFARE CHECK IN VIRGINIA LAST MONTH. 

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN RESTON, AND POLICE SAY THE WOMAN, WHO HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 33-YEAR-OLD SYDNEY WILSON, ATTACKED THE OFFICER WITH A KNIFE.

THE FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASED THE FOOTAGE ON MONDAY, WHICH CAPTURES THE VIOLENT ENCOUNTER.

IT BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16TH, WHEN OFFICER PETER LIU–WHO HAS SERVED WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR 14 YEARS AND IS TRAINED IN CRISIS INTERVENTION–RESPONDED TO A REQUEST FOR A WELFARE CHECK FROM A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

THE POLICE CHIEF CALLING WHAT HAPPENED NEXT AN UNPROVOKED AND VIOLENT KNIFE ATTACK. 

THE VIDEO SHOWS OFFICER LIU ARRIVING AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. AFTER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES, WILSON EVENTUALLY OPENS IT AND SLAMS IT SHUT IN HIS FACE.

A FEW MINUTES LATER, SHE REOPENS THE DOOR, THIS TIME HOLDING A KNIFE, AND SLASHES THE OFFICER IN THE FACE. 

DESPITE OFFICER LIU’S REPEATED COMMANDS FOR WILSON TO BACK AWAY, SHE CONTINUED TO APPROACH HIM, TRAPPING HIM IN A NARROW HALLWAY. 

LIU THEN FIRED HIS WEAPON,STRIKING WILSON THREE TIMES.

SHE WAS LATER PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL.

THE OFFICER SUSTAINED SLASHING WOUNDS TO HIS FACE AND WAS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL.

THE CHIEF DEFENDED OFFICER LIU’S ACTIONS, EXPLAINING THAT HE FOLLOWED HIS TRAINING TO USE DISTANCE AND SEEK COVER BUT WAS LEFT WITHOUT OPTIONS. 

THE POLICE CHIEF ALSO NOTED THAT A MENTAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER, WHO TYPICALLY ASSISTS IN SUCH SITUATIONS, WAS ON ANOTHER CALL AT THE TIME.

HE ADDED THAT EVEN IF ONE HAD BEEN PRESENT, THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE STILL BEEN DANGEROUS FOR ALL INVOLVED.

AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES, OFFICER LIU HAS BEEN PLACED ON RESTRICTIVE DUTY AND REASSIGNED TO A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT. 

WE’LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ANY UPDATES AS THEY COME IN AND YOU CAN TOO– WHEN YOU DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP.

I’M KARAH RUCKER