Re: Nephew killed today
 

Again, I'm very sorry for your loss.

A cop just shooting into a vehicle at innocent people for no reason is beyond me?

Seems like there's something missing?

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Sorry for your loss. It's a tragedy no matter the underlying circumstances...

Bryan

Re: Nephew killed today
 

I have learned until all the True facts are looked at do not pass judgment on anything or anyone. We were not there, nor do we know what exactly happened. Right now is a time to remember someone is gone. As troutly stated even the officer I'm sure isn't walking around with his head up high smiling regardless of the situation. The saying walk a mile in my shoes is so true. We are not talking about second guessing a milk man's job or a mail man's job. We are trying to second guess a policeman's job. 1 job in reality that most people don't know what it entails. Watching the Tv show cops doesn't make us all officers of law enforcement, Does it? :D

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Sorry for your lost our prayers are with you

jr mike and sr

Re: Nephew killed today
 

No need for speculation on my part.

Anyway you cut it, it's a tragedy. :(

Sorry for your loss.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Wow. Sorry to hear about such a tragic loss... My thoughts go out to you both and your family.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Man I can not tell ya how many times I have done that exact thing. NEVER intensionally but have done it at leaste a dozen times. It has always been a place that I frequent so they just get me the next day. Hate to think that I could get shot for something like that.

My thoughts go out to your family and all effected by this tragic set of events.

Jon

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Patti and Bill, to say I'm in shock is an understatement. I'm so sorry to hear about your nephew. Your family is in my prayers, please call if you need anything.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Extremely sorry to hear about your loss. Shows how much you just never know. Our condolences. Paul and Terri

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Very Sorry for your loss. The cop should be too...

Re: Nephew killed today
 

:( :( god bless....

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Very sorry for your loss. Remember to tell your loved ones you love them everyday cause you might not get another chance:(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

The whole story sucks, I'm sorry for your families loss....... :(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Sorry to hear of your loss. Always live as if it was your last day because all our days are numbered and we may not know when that day will be.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Patty & Bill:

Our thoughts and prayers are with you ....

Re: Nephew killed today
 

An unbelievable tragedy. Deepest condolances to your family.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

I'm sorry for your loss. A more detailed article here-

http://www.wvec.com/sharedcontent/AP...D8G0DSI80.html

Off-duty officer shoots, kills teen in Alexandria
02/25/2006

Associated Press

An off-duty police officer shot and killed a teenager early Saturday at a restaurant parking lot after fearing for his safety, authorities said.

The 13-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department was working as a security guard at an IHOP restaurant on Duke Street about 3:40 a.m. when an employee told him that a group of customers left without paying, said Amy Bertsch, a police department spokeswoman.

"He went out into the parking lot to see if he could locate them," said Bertsch, who would not give the officer's name.

She said the officer attempted to stop the customers from fleeing in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and that he fired at the vehicle when it traveled toward him.

Aaron Brown, 18, of Springfield — who was sitting in the back seat — was hit by a bullet and died at the scene, Bertsch said.

Three other people in the Jeep weren't injured.

Stephen J. Smith, 19, of Alexandria — who was driving the vehicle — was later charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave while police conduct a criminal and internal investigation, Bertsch said.

Saturday's incident was the first fatal shooting involving an Alexandria police officer since April 2005, when two officers shot and killed a man holding his son hostage. The officers were later cleared of wrongdoing.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Bill & Patti, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers :(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

:( :( very sorry.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

ouch, senseless.... sorry for your loss...

Re: Nephew killed today
 

sorry for your loss :(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

My condolences :(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

So sorry for your loss. It's a terrible tragedy all the way around. It's one of my biggest fears, that being, who my teenager hangs out with, and all of sudden there is a moment of bad judgement, and tragedy strikes!
Our condolences to your family :(
Dean

Re: Nephew killed today
 

my condolences. :( :(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Our thoughts and prayers to you and your entire family during this difficult time.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

:( :( :(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We caught the story on the local news. It's terrible that he was innocently sitting in the back seat. Have you heard whether the driver of the car was trying to run down the cop?

Re: Nephew killed today
 

we also heard on the news what a great kid your nephew was. I worry all the time about my kids and nephew and some of the friends they hang with it sucks to see our of our family or friends families hurt by the actions of others they call friends

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Bill and Pattie
So sorry to hear about your nephew. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Their is nothing that can be said that hasn't been said already, hug your loved ones every night, you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Randy and Sharon

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Just spoke with my brother-in-law who is a lutenant on the Alexandria force. There was in incident in the parking lot, and the driver DID try to run the officer down. Very sad for the victim and his family. Sad for the officer who now has to live with this. Driver should be charged with murder for putting this whole chain of events in motion :(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

That is what I suspected, and this sad situation should be used as an example for kids to WALK AWAY FROM YOUR "FRIENDS" when they are going to do, or are doing, something stupid.

When I was a kid, I refused to ride with drunk or stoned drivers, and if this kid had done that, and paid for the freaking meal himself as his friends were running out, none of this tradegy would have happened.

Part of the problem with society today is that people are not getting that message through to their kids. DO IT!

There are a couple of teenagers on this site who seem to be pretty level headed, and I hope they are reading this message. Then, at least the kid who was killed will not have died in vain. We have read about enough unnecessary deaths on here to last a long time, and hopefully our teenaged members will carefully think about this.

I can feel 43 Thunder's pain, and hope that he may use this sad situation to get the message to other teenagers....do not follow your friends into stupid behavior and actions. If placed in an uncomfortable situation, leave!!!

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Sorry to hear about such a tragic loss, My thoughts go out to you both and your family.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

I agree. A bunch of bad decisions were made that night and all came together to form a tregedy :(
My condolences

Re: Nephew killed today
 

:(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

:( Sorry for your loss.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

sorry

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Sorry.....that's terrible news

Re: Nephew killed today
 

I cant imagine being one of the other kids in the car ...
:( :( :(

Re: Nephew killed today
 

Bad situation any which way. Sorry for the tragedy.

Re: Nephew killed today
 

A little more information: And THANKS for all the condolences and thoughts. There are still many unanswered questions

Va. Teen Killed When Off-Duty Officer Fires at Approaching SUV

By Jamie Stockwell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2006; Page C04

An 18-year-old was killed by police early yesterday after he and a group of friends left an Alexandria restaurant without paying, got into an SUV and then tried to hit an off-duty police officer, who fired at the vehicle, striking a passenger, police said.

Police said Aaron R. Brown of Springfield was pronounced dead at the scene, a tiny parking lot outside the International House of Pancakes in the 6200 block of Duke Street. Brown was with three friends, who were not injured in the 3:40 a.m. shooting, police said. The Alexandria officer, a part-time security guard at the restaurant, also was not hurt.

The officer, a 13-year member of the department whom police would not identify, was put on administrative leave, said Capt. John Crawford, a police spokesman.

"We have so many victims involved in this case, from the 18-year-old who was killed to his friends who were with him to the officer, who made a split-second decision he will have to live with forever. We rely on our training and hope we make the right decision every time," Crawford said outside the restaurant yesterday. "It's a tragedy every way you look at it. "

Crawford said the officer, who was in uniform, was told by a restaurant employee that the teenagers had walked out on their bill.

The officer ran out to the parking lot, a tight space shared by IHOP patrons and guests at the Comfort Inn to which the restaurant is attached, and tried to stop the youths from fleeing. He stepped into the path of the 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Crawford said, and, "fearing for his safety," shot at the sport-utility vehicle.

Brown, sitting behind the driver, was struck. It was not immediately known how many shots were fired, Crawford said.

Police said the Jeep's driver, identified as 19-year-old Stephen J. Smith of Alexandria, was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana. He was released on bond yesterday afternoon, said Amy Bertsch, a police spokeswoman.

Crawford said the findings of internal investigations will be forwarded to Alexandria's chief prosecutor, S. Randolph Sengel, who will decide whether the shooting was justified. The case will also be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for an independent review, Crawford said, as well as to a civilian group that reviews all police-involved incidents.