Suspect Fatally Shot By Fairfax Cop After Richmond Highway Attack Identified By Police

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The suspect fatally shot by a Fairfax County police officer on Richmond Highway after authorities said he attacked another officer was identified Friday.

Police say Brandon Lemagne, 38, of Newport News, attacked an officer and forced the officer in his cruiser, resulting in the SUV crashing in a McDonald's parking lot Thursday. The struggle prompted two officers to fire their guns, one of whom struck Lemagne. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The confrontation happened after a license plate reader alerted officers to a U-Haul stolen from Richmond around 4:06 p.m. Thursday, officials said. One officer spotted the U-Haul in the 6300 block of Richmond Highway, and the driver, Lemagne, stopped the vehicle at the Citgo gas station at 6241 Richmond Highway.

According to police, surveillance footage shows the officer speak to Lemagne, and both walk toward the police cruiser. As the officer told Lemagne would be detained for driving the stolen U-Haul, police say Lemagne attacked the officer and attempted to remove the officer's gun from the holster.

In the attack, police accuse Lemagne of striking the officer on the head and pulling him across the parking lot in an attempt to take the gun. Lemagne then forced the officer into his police cruiser, and the vehicle ended up going in reverse with the officer trapped under the suspect. The vehicle crashed into the adjacent parking lot, striking two vehicles and the McDonald's building.

During the assault, the officer used the radio to call for help and said the suspect had his gun.

Several officers arrived to assist, one of whom fired a gun as Lemagne and the other officer remained in the police cruiser. Another officer pulled Lemagne off the officer and out of the cruiser before firing his gun. Lemagne was struck and was later pronounced dead.

The officer who was attacked was taken to the hospital, treated for injuries and was later released. Police confirmed this officer's gun remained holstered on the officer's belt, but said the suspect pulled it from the officer's hip to the front of his waistband.

The two officers who fired their guns were put on restricted duty status pending the results of criminal and administrative investigations. The Major Crimes Bureau is investigating the criminal use of force case and will present findings to the Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney.

The police department will release the body camera footage from the incident within 30 days. A video showing part of the struggle and the moment an officer shoots Lemagne has circulated on social media and in the media.

Police will also release the names of the officers, a 24-year police department veteran and eight-year veteran, within 10 days. Police Chief Kevin Davis called the 24-year veteran a "hero" for pulling the suspect off the fellow officer.

Warning: This video of the police struggle contains graphic content and language.