Falls Church Man Dies While In Custody On 2 Capital Murder Charges

Correction (July 22, 3:38 p.m.): This story has been updated to reflect that Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano's investigation found no criminal violations by the two officers investigated as part of this police-involved shooting.

FAIRFAX, VA — A 61-year-old Falls Church man in custody in connection with a 2020 police-involved shooting died after experiencing a medical emergency at the the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, according to a police release.

Glenn Myer died in the intensive care unit at Fairfax Hospital on Monday. He had been there since experiencing an unnamed medical emergency on Friday, according to Fairfax County police.

At the time of his death, Myer was suffering a terminal illness and no foul play was suspected, according to the release. The Office of the Chief Medical examiner will conduct an autopsy in order to determine the cause and manner of death.

As per county policy, FCPD investigates any in-custody deaths involving the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office.

Myer had been held in custody at the detention center since he was charged with aggravated malicious wounding on Dec. 19, 2020, according to the release. He was later charged on two counts of attempted capital murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Police were called around 10:49 a.m., on Dec. 17, 2020 to the 2000 block of Peach Orchard Drive in Falls Church, for the report of someone being shot.

A teen told the police dispatcher that he had been shot in the face by a man who lived in a neighboring apartment, according to the release. The teen reported that he had barricaded himself in a bedroom and that the man was trying to break in.

After attempting to negotiate with the man from outside the apartment, two officers entered the home and encountered Myer, who police say was armed with a gun. The officers fired their weapons, injured Myer, and removed the victim from the apartment. The officers then rendered aid to Myer until fire and rescue personnel arrived on the scene.

One of the officers was treated for minor injuries at the scene of the shooting and the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Myer was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. Following his release two days later, police charged him with aggravated malicious wounding and transported him to the adult detention center.

At the direction of Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Internal Affairs opened an administrative investigation into the police-involved shooting and the officers, who were both assigned to the Special Operations Division, were placed on administrative leave. In addition, the Major Crimes Bureau began a criminal investigation into the use of force during the incident.

In Jan. 8, 2021, FCPD identified Master Police Officer Lance Guckenberger and Police Officer First-Class Matthew Grubb as the two officers who fired their weapons at Myer on Dec. 17.

Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano released a statement on Jan. 19 2021 on his investigation findings for the Dec. 17 officer-involved shooting. He found no criminal violations by Guckenberger or Grubb.

Myer, who had previously been charged by police with aggravated malicious wounding, was also indicted on two counts each of attempted capital murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

According to Descano's statement, Myer refused to surrender to police and exchanged gunfire with SWAT team members when they entered to rescue the victim. A SWAT Team member and Myer were struck by bullets.