Exclusive: Reston Man Fires Gunshots Against Imaginary Kidnappers

A Reston man suffering from hallucinations fired several gunshots against imaginary kidnappers that he said were holding a child hostage in his town home.

The incident happened on May 7, according to court documents filed by the Fairfax County Police Department in Fairfax County Circuit Court.

A police officer arrived on the 1500 block of Poplar Grove Drive after the man told police kidnappers were holding a young child inside his townhome.

When an officer got to the scene, the man ran out of the home with a fully loaded gun, according to police. The officer handcuffed him and searched the townhome.

Police found no one in the home, but did spot two shell casings and evidence that two rounds were fired at a wall. No injuries or damages resulted.

The suspect was released on recognizance, after the man was held involuntarily “for his safety and the safety of the public” under a temporary detention order, according to the documents.

Police executed a search warrant to seize additional weapons from his home.

The suspect was arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of the reckless handling of a firearm on Tuesday (May 21). He will be arraigned on May 28. 

Reston Now does not publish the identity of suspects involved in cases with mental health implications.

File photo