Bijan Ghaisar | FFXnow

Park Police officers who fatally shot Bijan Ghaisar didn’t violate policies, report says

Published November 13, 2024 at 9:45AM

Video from a Fairfax County police officer's dashboard camera captured U.S. Park Police officers shooting Bijan Ghaisar on Nov. 17, 2017 (via Interior Department's Office of the Inspector General)

Almost seven years after his death, federal officials have determined that the two U.S. Park Police officers who pursued and shot McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar complied with department policies.

The report released yesterday (Tuesday) concludes officers Alejandro Amaya and Lucas Vinyard were reasonable in their belief that Ghaisar “presented a clear and immediate threat to public safety” when he fled after being rear-ended by a rideshare driver on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Alexandria on Nov. 17, 2017.

News

Park Police officers who fatally shot McLean man file lawsuit over ‘indefinite leave’

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 31, 2024 at 3:30PM

U.S. Park Police (file photo)

The U.S. Park Police officers who shot and killed McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar in 2017 are seeking to get out of the employment limbo they’ve been stuck in since the shooting almost seven years ago.

Officers Alejandro Amaya and Lucas Vinyard filed a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior (DOI) in the U.S. District Court for D.C. on July 10, seeking to force their employer to make a final decision on their job status.

News

Bijan Ghaisar’s family settles civil suit over five years after fatal shooting by Park Police

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2023 at 10:15AM

A U.S. Park Police cruiser in McLean (file photo)

The federal government has agreed to pay $5 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by the parents of McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar, who was shot and killed by two U.S. Park Police officers in Fort Hunt more than five years ago.

The settlement will allocate up to 25% of the total — or $1.25 million — to the family’s lawyers with the remaining money going directly to James and Kelly Ghaisar, according to court documents.

News

Family of Bijan Ghaisar marks five years since fatal shooting with vigil

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 17, 2022 at 2:15PM

Fairfax County Police Department footage of Park Police shooting McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar (via FCPD)

It has been five years since U.S. Park Police officers pursued and shot McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar in Fort Hunt, ultimately killing him.

Still seeking closure and accountability for the officers involved, Ghaisar’s family will mark the five-year anniversary of the shooting with a candlelight vigil at the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. at 7 p.m. today.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published June 13, 2022 at 7:30AM

A Ben and Jerry's truck hands out ice cream in a Vienna neighborhood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Criminal Case for Bijan Ghaisar Shooting Ends — The Justice Department won’t reopen a federal investigation into two U.S. Park Police officers who fatally shot McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar in 2017. Ghaisar’s family called the decision “a betrayal,” but it will allow their civil lawsuit that has been pending since October 2020 to move forward. [WTOP, The Washington Post]

Police Look for Man Reported Missing — “53YO Juan Ward last seen at 12:47pm on May 25 in 12500 blk of Dillingham Sq. in Woodbridge. 5’11”, 185lbs, black/grey hair, brown eyes, wearing a long-sleeve grey sweatshirt. Missing under unusual circumstances. Call 703-691-2131 w/info.” [FCPD/Twitter]

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 5, 2022 at 7:30AM

Cranes loom behind Wiehle-Reston East Metro station plaza (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Autopsies in Fairfax County Murders Still Pending — “Autopsies have been unable to determine how three victims of suspected ‘shopping cart killer’ Anthony Eugene Robinson died…Robinson is suspected of killing at least four people whose remains were found in Alexandria and Harrisonburg, Virginia, as well as the District.” [WTOP]

Spring Farm Day Canceled at Frying Pan — This year’s Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday (May 7) has been canceled due to rainy weather in the forecast. Anyone who registered in advance should receive an email with more information. [Fairfax County Park Authority/Twitter]

Countywide

‘Saddened and dumbfounded’: Case against Park Police officers who shot Bijan Ghaisar dismissed

By David Taube

Published April 26, 2022 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Police Department footage of Park Police shooting McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar (via FCPD)

The parents of 25-year-old Bijan Ghaisar, the McLean resident killed by U.S. Park Police in 2017, and Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano have voiced their dismay over Virginia’s decision to drop a criminal case against the officers.

At the behest of Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, the Commonwealth filed a motion on Friday (April 22) to drop the manslaughter charges against the officers. A federal appeals court officially dismissed the case yesterday (Monday).