MCLEAN, Va. — A U.S. Park Police officer charged with shooting and killing another off-duty officer in an apparent accident was released on his own recognizance on Wednesday.
Alexander Roy, 25, was apparently trying to dry fire the weapon when 22-year-old Jesse Brown Hernandez was killed, according to investigators.
"Dry firing is when one simulates the discharge of a firearm by pulling the trigger of a firearm that is unloaded," Fairfax Police said.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the shooting.
Four people were inside the apartment when Hernandez was killed, all of whom knew each other. Three of the four people inside were off-duty U.S. Park Police officers, including Hernandez and Roy.
The families of both Roy and Hernandez appeared in court Wednesday sitting just a couple rows apart from one another as Roy appeared via video from jail.
The Commonwealth’s attorney said they and the defense – with the consent of the Hernandez family – came to an agreement, suggesting personal recognizance with supervised release.
Roy's defense attorney explained that his client has no prior criminal history. The attorney added that Hernandez was not just a colleague but a friend and the shooting was an "unimaginable tragedy."
The Commonwealth's attorney claimed in court that the group in the apartment had been drinking alcohol throughout the day and were looking at a gun Roy had legally purchased. While holding the gun, it reportedly went off by accident, killing Hernandez instantly.
Roy lives with his parents in Mifflingburg, Pennsylvania and was granted a $10,000 bond. He will not be allowed to contact the Hernandez family, possess a weapon, drink alcohol, or violate any other laws.
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Investigators claim 25-year-old Alexander Roy was trying to dry fire the weapon when he shot and killed another off-duty US Park Police officer.