Officer Claims Self-Defense In Shooting Of Bijan Ghaisar

One of two U.S. Park Police officers who shot and killed a McLean accountant during a traffic pursuit on the George Washington Memorial Parkway claimed self defense in response to allegations.

Officer Lucas Vinyard responded to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Bijan Ghaisar, who died from gunshot-related injuries 10 days after the Nov. 17, 2017 pursuit. Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya were identified as the two officers who shot Ghaisar.

The response, filed through Vinyard's lawyer, rejects the family's claims that the officers did not face a threat when they shot Ghaisar, the Washington Post reported. Ghaisar's family claims he was unarmed.

Park Police had pursued Ghaisar down the George Washington Memorial Parkway after he fled from a hit-and-run in Alexandria, where his vehicle was rear-ended in a left turn lane. Video released by Fairfax County Police shows police stopped his car several times during the pursuit. In these encounters, two officers approached Ghaisar's car with weapons drawn before Ghaisar drove away. The third time Ghaisar stopped in Fort Hunt, the two officers fired nine shots at him while he tried to drive away.

The FBI, Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia are in charge of the investigation and have not determined if the two officers will face charges.

A lawyer for Amaya is also expected to release a response.