A Virginia woman, Sydney Wilson, 33, was fatally shot by a Fairfax County police officer after she attacked him with a knife during a welfare check at her apartment in Reston on September 16. The officer, Peter Liu, a 14-year veteran of the force trained in crisis intervention, had been dispatched to check on Wilson after concerns were raised about her mental state.
Body camera footage released by the police shows Officer Liu knocking on Wilson’s door. After briefly greeting the officer, Wilson closed the door, only to reopen it moments later and lunge at Liu with a kitchen knife. Despite the officer’s repeated commands to “back up,” Wilson continued advancing, slashing Liu in the face. As she moved toward him again, Liu fired multiple shots, striking Wilson and fatally wounding her.
Wilson, a Georgetown University graduate and a mental health first aid certified individual, had recently posted about her commitment to supporting mental health. Her sudden, violent behavior during the welfare check has left many shocked.
Police Chief Kevin Davis defended the officer’s response, stating that Liu acted according to training and did everything possible to de-escalate the situation. Liu is currently on restricted duty while investigations into the shooting are ongoing. The incident has reignited conversations about mental health crisis interventions and the role of police in such situations.
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