Fatal Police Shooting In Fredericksburg Was Justified, Report Says

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A Fredericksburg police officer was justified when he fatally shot a knife-wielding man in July, a Virginia State Police Investigation found. The Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney noted that the officer would not face any criminal charges.

On Wednesday, the police department identified the officer as Gregory Baugher, who has worked with the department since 2019. He has returned to patrol duties.

In July, authorities identified the man who was shot as 34-year-old Taylor Lee Drew.

The shooting occurred around 8 a.m. on July 21 in the 1400 block of Sunken Road. 911 callers told authorities that a man in the area had been asking for money and was assaulting an older man.

"The initial arriving officer quickly located the offender and ordered him to drop the knife. The offender ignored the officer’s commands and charged at the officer with the knife," the Fredericksburg Police Department said in its report. "The officer discharged his firearm, striking the offender."

Police officers on the scene provided first aid until an ambulance arrived and took the man to an area hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, authorities said.

Virginia State Police investigated the shooting, after a request from Chief Brian Layton.

"Chief Layton extends his gratitude to the Virginia State Police and the Fredericksburg Commonwealth Attorney for their thorough criminal investigation," the police department said in a news release on Wednesday.