A U.S. Park Police officer accidentally kills an off-duty cop while they were at a party in Virginia.
Authorities said that the victim was killed after getting shot by the Park Police officer, who wasn't aware that the gun he was using was loaded.
Police tape hangs across the street in front of the house that Dennis Rader lives in February 26, 2005 in Park City, Kansas. Rader is the suspect whom police have arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the 10 deaths now tied to the serial killer known as BTK.
The incident specifically happened at a gathering in an apartment in McLean, Virginia, which is just 10 miles west of Washington, D.C.
Virginia: US Park Police Accidentally Shoots Off-Duty Cop During Party
According to NBC News' latest report, the Park Police who accidentally shot another cop was identified as 25-year-old Alexander Roy.
The police he killed was 22-year-old Jesse Brown Hernandez. Both of them were attending the said gathering in Virginia over the weekend.
Authorities said that they received a call regarding a shooting incident after midnight on Sunday, Nov. 5. As of writing, Roy is being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on no bond.
Officials charged him with involuntary manslaughter since the victim died because of his negligence. Some authorities suspected that alcohol could be a factor in the accidental shooting incident since they were at a gathering.
The latest shooting incident in Virginia is alarming for many Americans since the U.S. Park Police is involved. For those who are not familiar with the Park Police, it provides security for the president, the secretary of the interior, as well as visiting dignitaries.
Park Police officials said that they were already aware of the incident and decided to direct all questions regarding the investigation to the Fairfax County police.
"Our focus right now is on supporting the family, friends, and coworkers of our employees involved in this tragic incident. USPP has nothing further to share at this time," said the law enforcement agency.
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Why Park Police Used His Gun
Torrance police officers and other law enforcement gather after breaking into a van with a body in the driver's seat in Torrance, California, on January 22, 2023. - California police hunting the gunman who killed 10 people at a dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations broke into a van after a lengthy standoff Sunday.
The Associated Press reported that the Park Police shooter allegedly used his gun in an attempt to dry fire it.
The U.S. Park Police explained that dry firing is needed to simulate the discharge of a firearm. It is done by pulling the trigger of an unloaded gun.
Dry firing involves doing the normal actions that gun owners do at firing ranges or what cops do during an actual crime incident. These include drawing, reloading, and even pulling the trigger.
However, even if the gun is not loaded, dry firing should be done in a safe place; away from other people. Right now, the accidental shooting in Virginia is still being investigated to confirm the main reason.
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