WASHINGTON (7News) — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin commuted the sentence of Wesley Shifflett, a Fairfax County Police Officer who was convicted of killing an unarmed man during a 2023 police chase at Tysons Corner Center. On Friday, a Fairfax County Judge sentenced Shifflet to three years in prison.
Shifflett, 36, was convicted by a jury on October 4, 2024, for recklessly handling a firearm, which is a Class 6 felony. Judge Randy Bellows sentenced Shifflett to 5 years, with 2 years suspended, and an additional 5 years of probation. "I am convinced that the court's sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system—that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences," Youngkin said in a statement.
The incident occurred on February 22, 2023, when 37-year-old Johnson was pursued by officers after reportedly stealing a pair of sunglasses. Police said Johnson fled on foot, leading officers through a parking garage and into a wooded area. Officers ordered Johnson to get on the ground, and Officer Shifflett fired his weapon, striking Johnson in the chest, officials said. Johnson later died at a hospital. The Fairfax County Police Department terminated Shifflett, who had served with the department for seven years. During Shifflett's trial, the prosecutor informed the jury that Johnson was unarmed and was on his knees when Shifflett shot him in the wooded area. The prosecutor also acknowledged that Johnson had stolen two sunglasses from Nordstrom.
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Shifflett, 36, was convicted by a jury on October 4, 2024, for recklessly handling a firearm, which is a Class 6 felony. Judge Randy Bellows sentenced Shifflett to 5 years, with 2 years suspended, and an additional 5 years of probation. "I am convinced that the court's sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system—that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences," Youngkin said in a statement.
The incident occurred on February 22, 2023, when 37-year-old Johnson was pursued by officers after reportedly stealing a pair of sunglasses. Police said Johnson fled on foot, leading officers through a parking garage and into a wooded area. Officers ordered Johnson to get on the ground, and Officer Shifflett fired his weapon, striking Johnson in the chest, officials said. Johnson later died at a hospital. The Fairfax County Police Department terminated Shifflett, who had served with the department for seven years. During Shifflett's trial, the prosecutor informed the jury that Johnson was unarmed and was on his knees when Shifflett shot him in the wooded area. The prosecutor also acknowledged that Johnson had stolen two sunglasses from Nordstrom.
