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The agency released body-cam footage on Monday that shows the events leading up to and after the fatal shooting in a Reston apartment in September.
* Warning: Graphic footage *
Early on Sept. 16, an officer from the department was called to conduct a welfare check in the 11800 block of Sunrise Vally Drive in Reston, when a mental health professional advised that 33-year-old Sydney Wilson was in an "agitated state."
An officer knocked on WIlson's door, police say, who opened it and then immediately slammed it shut. The first responder continued to try and speak with her, at which point she opened the door again, this time armed with a knife, which she used to assault the officer outside of the home.
The officer was able to back away and verbally de-escalated the situation temporarily, but Wilson could not be deterred and continued to approach with the knife, prompting the officer to discharge his weapon, striking the woman three times.
Officers rendered aid until Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel arrived to take over the scene. Wilson was rushed to an area hospital by paramedics, where she was later pronounced dead.
The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the department, the officer is a 14-year-veteran who was assigned to the Reston Patrol District. The officer was placed on restricted duty status following the shooting during the investigation.
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