FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — A shootout in the middle of a busy road last month resulted in a Fairfax police officer on moderate administrative leave and surprisingly, no injuries.
Police released the dashcam and body-warn video of the Oct. 6 incident. They said a group of Fairfax County police officers came to confront a man they believed to be armed and dangerous, identified as a 27-year-old from Arlington named Ricardo Singleton.
Police said Singleton was wanted for felony speed to elude, pointing a gun at police and a hit and run that occurred earlier in the day in Arlington.
Dashcam footage around 8:30 p.m. that night showed a suspect stopping in the middle of an intersection after police said he hit a slew of cars while officers chased him.
A witness then captured the chaos that unfolded. The video showed the suspect firing several rounds at officers. Police say only one officer fired his gun, shooting out a total of five rounds.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said that the officer returned fire because his life was in jeopardy, "and the lives of other nearby motorists and pedestrians arguably were in jeopardy as well."
Chief Kevin Davis said they found the gun at the scene and 90 rounds of ammunition. Singleton was ultimately found hiding behind a building by Fairfax and Arlington County police, as well as Virginia State Troopers, who took him into custody.
"Miraculous is a strong word, but it's really, really fortunate other folks weren't harmed or worse," Davis said.
Chief Davis also added that what you don't see on camera is the suspect throwing away the gun. As of Wednesday night, Singleton remains in jail without bond, facing a total of four charges including attempted malicious wounding of an officer.