Commonwealth's Attorney Says LCSO Deputies Were Justified In Jan. Use Of Deadly Force

ASHBURN, VA – The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Loudoun County has concluded its investigation into the shooting death of Connor James Peltzer at the hands of Loudoun County deputies on January 6, finding that deputies’ use of force was justified.

Peltzer, 30, was the suspect in an attempted bank robbery in Sterling in which a bomb threat was made. He was being surveilled by Loudoun County deputies and the FBI when his vehicle was found in a Leesburg Walmart parking lot. In a press release, Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson noted that Peltzer’s family members had told law enforcement that he was missing, possibly depressed and known to possess a firearm.

As the press release recounts the scene, officers responded to the scene at about 11:36 a.m. and issued at least 18 commands to Peltzer to remain in the vehicle with his hands visible. Instead, Peltzer emerged and aimed a pistol at the deputies. The weapon was later found to be an airsoft replica of a Glock 9mm pistol. Officers fired, hit Peltzer multiple times, and administered first aid when he fell, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said.

The office concluded that officers could reasonably have concluded that their use of force was necessary to protect themselves and others from imminent harm and that it was therefore justified.

In a letter to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office explaining his decision, Anderson said his office reviewed reports from LCSO’s Forensic Services Section, Digital Forensics Services Section, Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division, as well as cell phone data, officers' camera footage, notes from emergency responders and more.