No charges against Fairfax Co. officer who shot man in van

The commonwealth’s attorney for Fairfax County, Virginia, isn’t going to file charges against the police officer who shot a man in a van in Lorton last month.

Michael Vaughn, 34, was shot Feb. 15 in a van on Fitt Court. Police had been called there because the van wasn’t known by the neighbors and had been parked there for more than 24 hours.

When the police arrived, opened the back door and announced themselves, Descano said in a statement, no one answered. They found out that the van had been reported stolen from South Carolina and called for a tow. The police couldn’t open the front door, and when the truck driver opened the sliding door, Vaughn tossed out a blanket he’d been under, and left the van holding a rifle.

Vaughn was told to drop his gun, Descano said, but didn’t. After he continued to hang onto the rifle, Officer Trevor Jones shot him.

Descano said his office reviewed interviews, radio communications, body-worn camera footage and more. “Based on these facts, Officer Jones had a reasonable fear of serious injury or death for himself and others involved.”

He concluded: “I find no violations of criminal law on the part of Officer Jones and decline to bring any criminal charges against him.”

The police said Vaughn had been living in the van for quite some time. He’s been charged with failure to appear and a probation violation related to an incident last year.

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