Update 7:50 p.m. — Prince William County police have identified Michael David Burke, 58, as the man who died in an officer-involved shooting on December 5 in Woodbridge.
Police did not say where the man was from.
Prince William police:
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation *DECEASED IDENTIFIED – Prince William County police have identified the man who died during an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 5000 block of Davis Ford Rd in Woodbridge (22192) on December 5. The deceased was identified as Michael David BURKE, 58. The investigation into the encounter between the officer and the deceased before the shooting remains active and led by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
Update 12:45 p.m — Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham held a press conference today following a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred near the Central District Police Station in Woodbridge. Chief Newsham expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and outlined preliminary details of the incident.
“This morning, an adult white male, believed to be in his 50s, arrived at the joint fire and police department complex. He entered the rear parking lot of the fire station, armed with a knife,” Newsham said. “One of our officers, who was at a nearby gas pump, was alerted to the man’s presence and responded to the scene.”
The armed individual confronted the officer and advanced toward him. Despite commands to drop the knife, the subject continued moving forward, prompting the officer to discharge his firearm. The man was struck, and officers attempted to render aid before he was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been confirmed.
Investigation Underway
Prince William County’s Critical Incident Response Team is handling the investigation, which will be reviewed by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Afterward, the department will conduct an administrative review to determine whether the use of force complied with department policies.
Body camera footage of the incident exists but will not be released until the investigation is complete. Surveillance footage from the area is also being reviewed.
Officer’s Status
The officer involved is a two-year veteran of the force. “This incident is very impactful for the officer, who is understandably shaken but physically uninjured. He will receive support at our resiliency center,” Newsham added.
Witness Accounts and Questions
According to Chief Newsham, a witness observed the man in the fire station parking lot and alerted the officer. The suspect’s motives for being at the complex remain unclear. Investigators are exploring whether the individual was experiencing a mental health crisis, as initial evidence suggests.
When asked if less-lethal force, such as a Taser, could have been used, Chief Newsham stated that it remains unclear whether the officer was equipped with such a device at the time. The timeline of events, from the officer being alerted to the confrontation, was described as very brief, with the situation escalating rapidly.
Community Impact
The shooting occurred during a shift change for fire department personnel. “The fire chief expressed gratitude that the officer placed himself between the individual and the firefighters, ensuring their safety,” said Chief Newsham.
The investigation will continue, with updates provided as more details are confirmed. Authorities emphasized the importance of patience as the process unfolds.
Below is the full transcript of Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham’s remarks following an officer-involved shooting near the Central District Police Station:
Chief Peter Newsham:
Good morning, everyone. I’m Pete Newsham, Chief of Police here in Prince William County. I’m here to speak about a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred this morning.
First, I want to express my condolences to the family of the decedent. In policing, when we come to work, our goal is to help people. Unfortunately, there are times when we are forced to use force, and in some instances, that force results in the loss of life. That’s what happened here this morning.
The information I have right now is preliminary because this just occurred a few hours ago, and more details will emerge as the investigation progresses. Here’s what we know so far:
An adult white male, appearing to be in his 50s, arrived at this joint fire and police department complex. He entered the rear parking lot of the fire department. One of our officers, who was at a nearby gas pump, was alerted to the man’s presence and the fact that he was armed with a knife.
The officer approached the man, who confronted the officer with the knife. The man advanced toward the officer, prompting the officer to discharge his firearm, striking the individual. Officers immediately attempted to render aid, but the individual was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
We have not yet identified the individual. Once we confirm their identity, we will release that information.
Investigation Process:
The investigation is being handled by the Critical Incident Response Team, which will present its findings to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. The Commonwealth’s Attorney will determine if there is any prosecutorial merit to the case. Afterward, the Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation to determine whether the officer’s actions were consistent with department policies.
Questions from the Press:
Reporter: Was the man observed by someone at the fire station?
Chief Newsham: Yes, a witness in the area alerted the officer to the man’s presence and his possession of a knife.
Reporter: Is this individual known to your department?
Chief Newsham: Until we have a full identification, I don’t want to speculate.
Reporter: Could this person have been suffering from a mental health crisis?
Chief Newsham: That is one of the things we will investigate. Initial information suggests that the individual may have been in crisis.
Reporter: Was there any de-escalation or commands given?
Chief Newsham: The officer retreated and gave commands for the man to drop the knife.
Reporter: Was there body camera footage?
Chief Newsham: Yes, there is body camera footage. We will determine whether to release it after the investigation is completed.
Reporter: Could less-lethal force, such as a Taser, have been used?
Chief Newsham: I don’t know at this point whether the officer was equipped with a Taser. That will be part of the investigation.
Reporter: What do we know about the officer?
Chief Newsham: The officer is a two-year veteran, a male, who will be placed on leave and will receive support at our resiliency center. He is understandably shaken but physically unharmed.
Reporter: Was the area well-lit?
Chief Newsham: The area has lighting. I wouldn’t characterize it as dark.
Reporter: How quickly did this situation unfold?
Chief Newsham: It happened very quickly, in less than 10 minutes.
Reporter: Was there a threat made toward law enforcement?
Chief Newsham: If someone advances toward an officer with a knife, that is considered a threat.
Reporter: How close was the individual to the fire station?
Chief Newsham: He was in the back parking lot, close to the fire station.
Reporter: How many shots were fired?
Chief Newsham: That will be part of the investigation.
Original Post 8:40 a.m. — On December 5, a Prince William County police officer fatally shot a man who advanced toward them with a knife at the Department of Fire & Rescue Station 26 and Central District Police Station in Woodbridge. The man, who ignored commands to drop the knife, was transported to a hospital, where he died; no officers or others were injured, and the Critical Incident Response Team is investigating.
From Prince William police:
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation – On December 5 at 5:06AM, a Prince William County police officer was involved in an officer-involved shooting on the grounds of the Department of Fire & Rescue Station 26 and the Central District Police Station located in the 5000 block of Davis Ford Rd in Woodbridge (22192) during an encounter with a man on the property.
Preliminarily, a uniformed police officer was completing their work shift when the officer received information about a man in the rear parking lot of the fire station. As the officer made contact with the man, a knife was seen in the man’s hand. The man began approaching the officer, waving the knife in front of him and towards the officer. The officer gave several commands to the man to drop the knife. The man did not comply and continued advancing towards the officer.
At one point, the officer discharged their service weapon, striking the man in the upper body. Additional officers arrived on the scene soon after, and immediate first-aid was administered by officers and fire & rescue personnel from the nearby fire station. The man was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries. No officers, fire & rescue personnel, or other community members were injured during the incident, which remains contained to the grounds of the property.
There is no active threat to the surrounding community. The identity of the deceased, preliminarily identified as an adult man, is pending and will be released once confirmed and a next of kin is notified.
The Prince William County Police Department, at the request of Chief Peter Newsham, has requested the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to oversee the investigation as an independent body.
The involved officer will be placed on routine administrative leave. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
Four individuals have been indicted in the murder of 23-year-old Egypt Zapporah Carter, and all suspects are now in custody, the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney and county police announced on December 2.
The case stems from a February 2 shooting in the area of Bronson Ct. and Brickwood Dr. in Dale City, where Carter was ambushed and fatally shot while sitting in her vehicle.
Polar plungers take a dip in the Potomac River at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. [Photo: Mike Beaty]Registration is open for the 2025 Polar Plunge at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge on February 15 to raise funds for Special Olympics Virginia. Participants can join individually or in teams, donate, or attend to cheer, with activities including live music, games, and a costume contest.
Press Release from Prince William County:
Are you brave enough to weather the February elements in support of a worthy cause? If so, registration has opened for the 2025 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Virginia. This year’s event is at Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge (22191) on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
A 2018 Nissan Sentra is missing and a unlicensed tow truck driver faces charges.
A Prince William County resident is without a car after a simple fender-bender became an insurance scam.
On November 9, 2024, Bethany Selvage was awakened by her neighbor’s call that they had accidentally hit her parked 2018 Nissan Sentra while backing out of their driveway. A police report was filed, and Selvage called her insurance company to get it repaired.
Murder Investigation – On November 27 at 8:50PM, officers responded to 13500 block of Delaney Road in [Dale City] to investigate a domestic dispute. The initial caller reported a domestic altercation involving a family member and then stated gun shots were heard when leaving the residence. Officers arrived on the scene and located the accused, later identified as a 20-year-old man, attempting to leave the residence. The accused was detained without incident.
Officers went inside the home and located the victim, later identified as a 20-year-old woman, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers provided aid until the victim was transported to an area hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. The investigation revealed the accused and victim were in a physical altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused retrieved a firearm and shot the victim. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Anthony WHITE JR., was arrested.
Arrested on November 27:
Anthony WHITE JR., 20, of 13515 Delaney Road
Charged with 2nd degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and domestic assault and battery
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
Identified:
The deceased was identified as Rhemidee Iyeshala BARNES, 20, of Woodbridge
Detectives concluded an investigation into a shooting incident from August 2023, where shots were fired into an unoccupied vehicle, and a man was targeted but not injured. Two suspects face charges related to reckless firearm handling and conspiracy.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Shooting into an Unoccupied Vehicle | Reckless Handling of a Firearm *ARREST – On November 22, 2024, detectives concluded the investigation into the shots fired call that was reported to have occurred in the 13900 block of Rope Dr. in Woodbridge (22191) on August 4, 2023. While investigating the incident, detectives determined there were multiple suspects involved and obtained warrants for their arrest. On November 11, one of the suspects, identified as Bryant Manuel HENRIQUEZ FLORES, was arrested and on November 22, the second suspect, identified as Dan Benedict GALVEZ, was arrested.
Arrested between November 11-22, 2024:
Bryant Manuel HENRIQUEZ FLORES, 25, of 13908 Rope Dr. in Woodbridge
Charged with reckless handling of a firearm and shooting into an unoccupied vehicle
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Dan Benedict GALVEZ, 25, of 1389 Ironwood St. in Woodbridge
Charged with conspiracy to commit a felony
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Shooting into an Unoccupied Vehicle | Reckless Handling of a Firearm [Previously Released] – On August 4 at 10:40PM, officers responded to the 13900 block of Rope Dr. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a shots fired call. The investigation revealed the victim, a 50-year-old man, was working on a vehicle parked in the above area, when he was approached by an unknown man. During the encounter, the suspect brandished a firearm and fired multiple rounds towards the victim. The victim was able to flee the area on foot and was not injured. While investigating the incident, officers determined the man was possibly with a group of other men who were near a brown-colored vehicle prior to the encounter. While checking the area, officers located two vehicles that sustained damage consisted with being struck by projectiles, and shell casings in the roadway. No injuries or additional property damage were reported.
On November 24, a suspect was arrested in connection with an attempted robbery at a McDonald's near Woodbridge on September 24. Two other suspects were arrested earlier in November.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Attempted Armed Robbery *FINAL ARREST – On November 24, the suspect, identified as Troy Allen PHILLIPS Jr., who was wanted in connection to the attempted robbery that was reported to have occurred at the McDonald’s located at 12730 Harbor Dr. [near] Woodbridge (22192) on September 24, was arrested. Two men were previously arrested between November 8-18 in connection to the incident.
Phillips Jr., T. A.
Arrested on November 24:
Troy Allen PHILLIPS Jr., 21, of 15502 Chicacoan Dr. in Woodbridge
Charged with attempted robbery
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Attempted Armed Robbery *ARRESTS [Previously Released] – Officers arrested two suspects identified in connection to the attempted robbery that was reported to have occurred at the McDonald’s located at 12730 Harbor Dr. [near] Woodbridge (22192) on September 24. The suspects, identified as Timothy Damont RUTHERFORD and a 17-year-old male juvenile, were taken into custody between November 8-18. Additionally, officers obtained arrest warrants for a third suspect, identified as Troy Allen PHILLIPS Jr. Attempts to locate PHILLIPS have been unsuccessful.
Attempted Armed Robbery [Previously Released] – On September 24 at 5:18PM, officers responded to the McDonald’s located at 12730 Harbor Dr. [near] Woodbridge (22192) to investigate an assault. The investigation revealed the victim, a 25-year-old woman, and a group of men were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the victim was struck and scratched by the men before the parties separated. A short time later, the suspects returned to the business and attempted to take the victim’s purse while one of the men implied he had a firearm. The victim was able to maintain possession of her purse and separated from the suspects. The suspects left the business prior to police arriving on scene. Officers and a police K-9 searched the area for the suspects who were not located. Minor injuries were reported.
On November 22, two individuals were arrested in connection to a felony homicide investigation involving the neglect of a vulnerable adult, which began after a call to a home in Woodbridge earlier this year.
The victim, a 32-year-old man with cerebral palsy, was found severely neglected and later died from sepsis caused by the neglect, leading to charges of homicide and abuse against the two family members involved.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Felony Homicide Investigation – On November 22, detectives arrested two individuals in connection to an ongoing investigation involving the criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult which stemmed from a call to the family’s home located at the Bayvue Apartments located in the 14100 block of Fisher Ave. in Woodbridge (22191) earlier this year on April 2. The investigation revealed the victim, a 32-year-old man, was being treated at an area medical center suffering from extreme neglect. Medical personnel had responded to the home where the victim, who was immobile due to cerebral palsy, was found unconscious on the floor appearing severely emaciated and in an unkempt state with open wounds to his body. The victim’s mother, identified as Katharine Mary THOMPSON, was determined to be the victim’s primary caregiver, and was previously charged with felony neglect at the time of the initial investigation. On April 15, the victim was declared deceased and transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy where it was later determined the manner of death would be classified as a homicide due to sepsis in the setting of cerebral palsy and neglect. The victim’s brother, identified as Jonathan Lee THOMPSON, was also found to have resided with the victim and had assisted in his care at times making him a responsible party. Following the investigation, both accused family members were arrested. Anyone with information to aid in this investigation is asked to contact the police.
Thompson, K. M.Thompson, J. L.
Arrested on November 22:
Katharine Mary THOMPSON, 69, and Jonathan Lee THOMPSON, 31, both of 14131 Fisher Ave, #3,in Woodbridge
Both were charged with felony homicide and abuse & neglect of a vulnerable adult
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
Identified: The deceased was identified as Jeremy Hall THOMPSON, 32, of Woodbridge
On November 23, officers responded to a shooting in Manassas where a 45-year-old man was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect was located the following morning and charged with murder, among other charges.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Murder Investigation – On November 23 at 9:09PM, officers responded to 8000 block of Stream Walk Lane [near] Manassas (20109) to investigate a shooting. Officers arrived on the scene and located the victim, later identified as a 45-year-old man, in the parking lot suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation revealed the accused and victim were involved in a physical altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused pulled out a firearm and shot the victim multiple times. Police searched the area for the suspect who left the scene and was not initially located. Detectives located the accused early the following morning nearby in the Manassas area, where he was detained without incident. This incident was not random. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Zahir Adbul-Rahman MUJAHID, was arrested.
Mujahid, Z. A-R.
Arrested on November 24:
Zahir Adbul-Rahman MUJAHID, 38, of no fixed address
Charged with murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
Identified:
The deceased was identified as Horace Roy JOHNSON, 45, of no fixed address
Detectives concluded an investigation into a shooting incident from August 2023, where shots were fired into an unoccupied vehicle, and a man was targeted but not injured. Two suspects face charges related to reckless firearm handling and conspiracy.
Press Release from Prince William Police:
Arrested between November 11-22, 2024: Bryant Manuel HENRIQUEZ FLORES, 25, of 13908 Rope Dr. in Woodbridge Charged with reckless handling of a firearm and shooting into an unoccupied vehicle Court Date: Pending | Bond: Unavailable
