Police Continue Investigation After Occupied Cruiser Struck By Bullets

Officers from the Fairfax County Police Department continue to investigate after a Reston District on-duty officer’s marked cruiser was struck multiple times by gunfire just before midnight Sunday night.

Police say the incident began as an attempted traffic stop in the 600 block of Rossmore Court, off Georgetown Pike in the Great Falls area.

From FCPD:

A passenger jumped out of the car and ran. The driver of the car then sped away from the cruiser, making a U-turn in the cul-de-sac, then traveled back toward the officer and opened fire, striking the cruiser at least twice. The officer attempted to pursue the shooter’s car, but lost sight of it while driving westbound on Georgetown Pike.

Our Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene Detectives responded to investigate and process the scene. Several other law enforcement partners helped to try and track the suspect’s car; to no avail. The car was described as an older model four-door sedan, possibly late 90s to early 2000s, white with black rubber moulding around the door frames.

One bullet hit the hood and a second hit the passenger-side rear quarter panel. The officer was unharmed.

“I am grateful that our officer went home safe last night,” said Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. “[The suspect’s] actions are not only dangerous and deadly to law enforcement, but they are a threat to the entire community.”

1/3 Great Falls/Reston area: we are investigating shots fired at a police cruiser around midnight in the area of Georgetown Pike/Walker Ln.

— Fairfax Co. Police (@fairfaxpolice) January 23, 2017

2/3 Suspect vehicle: late 90’s – early 2000 whi 4D sedan, maybe Toyota or Mazda, possible passenger window shattered. Black molding on doors

— Fairfax Co. Police (@fairfaxpolice) January 23, 2017

3/3 Susp. vehicle last seen w/b Georgetown Pike in Great Falls area. Anyone w/ info please call us immediately. 703-691-2131.

— Fairfax Co. Police (@fairfaxpolice) January 23, 2017

Fairfax County police say Roessler is expected to hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FCPD at 703-691-2131, or call Detective C. Guyton at 703-856-8547. Citizens can also be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000 if they contact Crime Solvers or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).

Tipsters remain anonymous.