Police: Officer Who Killed Himself Was Accused of Sex Charges Involving Young Teens

GAINESVILLE, VA-- A Manassas detective killed himself as authorities were delivering warrants for his arrest on indecent liberties and sexual solicitation charges involving young teens.

According to Prince William County Police, the detective was a member of the Northern Virginia-Washington D.C. Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was also a coach with the Prince William County hockey league, where he met the alleged victims.

Authorities were delivering warrants to the home of David Edward Abbott Jr., 39, of Senea Dr in Gainesville when the subject refused to surrender to police. The surrounding area was evacuated and nearby roads were closed off.

Officers were communicating with Abbott when he allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot himself, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Monday, police reportedly learned of alleged inappropriate communication with a 13-year-old boy in Abbott’s hockey league, according to police.

Detectives learned that the inappropriate contact began more than two years ago, and consisted of soliciting sexual acts via phone, text, social media and email. The accused also had face to face interactions with the victim, according to police.

Authorities also learned of an alleged second victim involved in the hockey league who reported inappropriate communication had began in 2008 when he was a 13-year-old.

In a statement, Manassas City Police requested privacy for Abbott’s family and co-workers.

“This is a tragic and sad day for the Abbott family, the juvenile victims and their families, the Manassas City Police Department, and our community,” the statement read, in part.

Abbott was the lead detective in a high-profile teen “sexting” case in 2014. Authorities had allegedly threatened to call for new pictures of a 17-year-old’s erect penis to compare to videos obtained from the victim, his former girlfriend.

That request was eventually withdrawn and the teen received 1 year probation in the case. In November 2014, Abbott filed an unusual defamation lawsuit against the teen’s lawyer for statements made to the press. Abbot quietly dropped the suit last month.