Police ID Man Shot, Killed by Fairfax Sheriff’s Deputy Last Week

Fairfax County Police have identified the deceased and released more details in the case of a man who was shot and killed by a Sheriff’s Deputy at a bus stop near Inova Fairfax Hospital last week.

The man killed was Jovany Martinez, 29, of no fixed address, police said. Martinez had been released from the hospital earlier on Aug. 15, and a few minutes later was at the bus stop when he swung at and struck a security guard with a metal signpost.

After a Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy (the are assigned regular prisoner duty at the hospital) and Fairfax County Police Officers arrived at the scene, Martinez continued to lunge at officers. He was shot by the deputy and taken back to the hospital, where he died several hours later.

Here is what FCPD says led to the incident:

On Aug. 15, at 1:55 p.m., a uniformed patrol officer in a marked police cruiser was parked in front of a gas station in the 7100 block of Little River Turnpike in Annandale. A man later identified as Martinez, approached the officer and engaged him in conversation.

During that conversation the officer “became concerned for Mr. Martinez as it appeared he was either experiencing a medical emergency due to the extreme heat conditions and/or suffering from some form of mental health issue,” an FCPD spokesman said.

The officer then requested that medics from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department respond to assess Martinez. Upon arrival of medics at 2:04 p.m., they transported him to Inova Fairfax Hospital for further evaluation. The officer also responded to the hospital to ensure hospital staff could provide a mental evaluation in case the officer needed to transport Martinez to the Merrifield Center for help.

Once the medical staff advised the officer that Martinez was not in mental distress, the officer concluded the medical transport investigation around 4 p.m., and Martinez was left in the care of medical staff. Martinez was eventually discharged from the hospital about 10 p.m., and security staff assisted him in locating the bus stop for transportation.

A short time later, the security staff received reports of a suspicious man at the bus stop and that is when security staff observed Martinez apparently in mental crisis with the signpost he eventually used to strike one of the security guards.

Police said officers issued commands to Martinez to drop the signpost, which was being used as a weapon, and he failed to follow the commands and continued to charge at the deputy with the signpost. The deputy discharged his firearm several times, striking Martinez.

The deputy who shot Martinez was an 18-year veteran of the department who had crisis negotiation training, Sheriff Stacey Kincaid said at a news conference last week.

The criminal investigation by detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes Division remains very active, police said.

Detectives are aware of several witnesses who observed Martinez prior to the shooting. They should contact Detective Hinson at 703-246-7800, or the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131. You may also contact Crime Solvers electronically by visitingwww.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637) or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477).