Off-Duty DC Police Officer Involved In Reston Fatal Shooting

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the tenant. It has been updated.

RESTON, VA — The Internal Affairs Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating an off-duty MPD sergeant who was involved in a fatal shooting in Reston Friday night, according to a police release.

Fairfax County Police Department officers were dispatched around 11:36 p.m., for the report of a man causing a disturbance in a breezeway area of an apartment building in the 12000 block of Starboard Drive.

According to police, a tenant opened his apartment door and encountered Daniel Matheson, 29, of Reston, who was standing in his doorway. The tenant told police that Matheson raised a firearm in his direction, and the tenant, who was armed, fired a round that stuck Matheson in his upper body. Responding officers rendered aid to Matheson, who was then transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Following a preliminary investigation, detectives believe that neither man knew each other.

MPD Chief Peter Newsham told The Washington Post that the tenant was an off-duty sergeant with his department. He has more than 19 years of service with the department, according to a department release. Following MPD policy, he has been placed on administrative leave.

This remains an active investigation and FCPD detectives are continuing to conduct interviews and process evidence. These findings will be presented to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, which will decide whether charges will be placed.

Detectives ask anyone with information about the shooting to call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type "FCCS" plus tip to 847411, and online. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.