From the Virginia State Police Department
The City of Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney has reviewed the Virginia State Police investigative findings concerning the July 23, 2018, officer-involved shooting. Commonwealth’s Attorney LaBravia Jenkins has determined that the Fredericksburg Police Officer’s actions were “appropriate in the circumstances” and no criminal charges will be brought against the officer.
Further investigation also revealed that Joseph L. Jackson, 24, of Fredericksburg, was not injured as a result of the police officer discharging his service weapon. Jackson injured himself after he fled the scene and attempted to elude police.
The incident began at 5:40 p.m. Monday when the Fredericksburg Police E-911 Communications Center received a call for a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1900 block of Airport Avenue. A City of Fredericksburg Police Officer responded. Upon arriving at the residence, an adult male involved in the disturbance attacked and injured the police officer with a box cutter. The police officer defended himself by discharging his firearm at the suspect. The suspect, later identified as Jackson, then fled on foot.
The police officer was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.
An extensive search for Jackson was conducted by the City of Fredericksburg Police Department with the assistance of the Virginia State Police, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Office. At approximately 9:50 p.m. that same night, Jackson was apprehended without further incident in the city near the intersection of Rt. 3 (Blue Gray Parkway) and Rt. 2 (Dixon Street) . Jackson was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and released for minor injuries.
Virginia State Police charged Jackson with one felony count of Attempted Capital Murder of a Police Officer, 18.2-31. He is still being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
At the request of the City of Fredericksburg Police Department, the incident was investigated by the Virginia State Police (VSP) Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Culpeper Field Office.
