Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting At Arlington Convenience Store Prompts Investigation

ARLINGTON, VA — A regional Critical Incident Response Team is investigating an Arlington County Police Department officer-involved shooting that happened inside a 7-Eleven on Columbia Pike Friday night, according to authorities.

Police were dispatched shortly before 6:30 p.m. to Columbia Pike at South Monroe Street for a report of a disorderly subject, according to the department. Responding officers contacted the suspect outside the 7-Eleven, where police said he produced a knife, ignored commands from officers and entered the store. Officers then set up a perimeter and helped patrons and employees exit safely.

Officers determined that they were originally summoned to the scene after a woman reported being approached and verbally threatened by the suspect as she was entering the store, according to police.

The woman was taken to the Office of the Magistrate, where warrants were obtained charging the suspect with assault and obstruction of justice, according to the department.

Police said the suspect then barricaded himself inside a back room of the store. Over several hours, officers and negotiators tried to resolve the incident safely and take him into custody on the outstanding warrants, according to the department.

At about 9 p.m., officers breached the back-room door to take the suspect into custody. The suspect displayed a knife, and two officers discharged their firearms, striking him, according to the department. The knife was recovered at the scene.

Medics took the suspect to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to ACPD. Police identified him as Shawn Valn, 33, of an undetermined address.

Two officers were also taken to an area hospital as a precaution and later released, according to police. Under department policy, both officers have been placed on routine administrative leave.

After the Critical Incident Response Team completes its investigation, the file will be sent to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for independent review, according to the department. The case remains an active criminal investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Arlington County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).