Chief Kevin Davis Releases Body-Worn Camera Footage from Reston Officer-Involved Shooting of Sydney Wilson
Posted on October 14, 2024, by FCPD Public Affairs Bureau
Fairfax County, VA – Today the body-worn camera footage from the September 16 officer-involved shooting in Reston was released. The following information is based on the preliminary and ongoing investigation. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed. The video will be posted on the Department’s YouTube page. Per YouTube’s policy viewers may be requested to sign into a YouTube account to verify age.
(Release published on September 26, 2024)
Reston Police District – The criminal and administrative investigations continue into the September 16 officer-involved shooting in the 11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston.
Sydney Wilson, 33, of Reston attacked an officer with a knife that led to him discharging his firearm, striking her three times in the upper body. She was taken to an area hospital and was pronounced deceased. Police Officer First Class (PFC) Peter Liu, a 14-year veteran of the department, discharged his firearm. PFC Liu is assigned to the Reston Police District. He is on restricted-duty status while the investigation continues.
The body-worn camera footage will be released within 30 days of the incident in accordance with the department’s guidelines.
For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.
(Original release published on September 18, 2024)
Reston Police District– On Monday, September 16, at approximately 10:17 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston for a welfare check. FCPD received a request from a mental health professional to conduct a welfare check on 33-year-old Sydney Wilson, of Reston, who was reported to be in an agitated state.
A crisis intervention trained (CIT) officer knocked on Wilson’s door. Wilson opened it and immediately closed the door. The officer continued to try to speak with her and after approximately two minutes, Wilson opened the door again. This time, Wilson was in possession of a knife and immediately assaulted the officer outside the residence. The officer was able to back away and attempted to de-escalate the situation with verbal commands.
Wilson continued to approach with the knife and the officer discharged his weapon, striking Wilson a total of three times.
A photo of the knife brandished by Wilson was recovered on scene and is pictured below:
Responding officers immediately rendered aid until Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department arrived. Wilson was taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The officer was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The officer involved in the shooting has been identified as a 14-year veteran assigned to the Reston Patrol District. As per department policy, the officer has been placed on restricted duty status, pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigation.
The criminal investigation into the use of force is being conducted by the Major Crimes Bureau. The body-worn camera footage will be released within 30 days in accordance with the department’s guidelines. The results of the criminal investigation will be presented to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Our Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting an administrative investigation in accordance with policy, along with an independent review by the Police Auditor. The name of the officer will be released within 10 days and in accordance with the Department’s policy.
All information provided in this release is based on preliminary investigative findings and may be subject to revision as the investigation progresses.
For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.