Arlington To Release Video Of Deadly Police Shooting At 7-Eleven

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County officials plan to release video of the fatal police shooting of Shawn Valn by Oct. 16, as prosecutors prepare to seek a special grand jury investigation into the May incident.

The Arlington County Board directed the county manager to release video showing key events and a timeline surrounding the May 8 shooting. County officials said they are working with a third-party specialist to prepare the footage.

If the video is not ready by Oct. 16, the county manager and police chief will provide an update at the County Board's Oct. 17 meeting.

Valn, 33, was shot and killed by Arlington County police following a roughly three-hour standoff inside a 7-Eleven near Columbia Pike and South Monroe Street.

Police were called around 6:19 p.m. for a report of a disorderly person. Police said Valn displayed a knife outside the store, ignored commands and went inside. Officers established a perimeter and helped customers and employees leave.

Police said Valn had threatened a woman as she entered the store. The woman later obtained warrants charging him with assault and obstruction of justice.

Valn barricaded himself in a back room while officers and negotiators spent several hours trying to get him to surrender, police said. Around 9 p.m., officers entered the room. Police said Valn displayed a knife and two officers opened fire.

Valn was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police said a knife was recovered at the scene. Two officers were taken to a hospital as a precaution and later released.

The regional Critical Incident Response Team investigated the shooting, and the case was turned over to the Arlington County and Falls Church Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for an independent review.

On Thursday, Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti said her office plans to ask a court to convene a special grand jury to examine the shooting. A special grand jury can subpoena witnesses and other evidence and determine whether there is probable cause to support criminal charges.

The process is expected to take several months, and prosecutors have said they do not plan to release additional information while it is underway.

Separately, Arlington officials said the police department is reviewing its policy governing the release of information, including body-camera footage. Police Chief Andy Penn will release a draft for public feedback, and the county's independent policing auditor will be consulted before the policy is adopted.

Related:

• Prosecutor Seeks Special Grand Jury In Fatal Arlington Police Shooting
• Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting At Arlington Convenience Store Prompts Investigation