Police Custody Death In Groveton Ruled An Opioid Overdose

GROVETON, VA—The death of a man in police custody in Groveton on June 26 was determined to be an opioid overdose, Fairfax County Police announced. The officers involved won't be facing charges, a Commonwealth’s Attorney investigation concluded.

"There was no indication restraint used contributed to his death," said Police Chief Ed Roessler Jr. at a news conference Wednesday. "This is an example of the opioid epidemic which has ravaged our nation and our county."

Police have released body camera footage of the incident. On June 26, officers responded to an overdose call in the 4300 block of Mission Court and found a man at risk of harming himself and others. The man had reportedly struck a relative in the head, and family members had evacuated from the home by the time officers arrived.

In the video, police tried talking with the man before moving to restrain him. After the man fell, officers handcuffed and restrained him with a nylon device to prevent him from further harming himself and officers. When the scene was deemed safe, medics were allowed inside to provide aid.

The footage shows one officer with an electronic control weapon, but Roessler says the weapon "was never deployed."

Certain parts of the video—including the medics' response—were not released to the public "out of respect for the family" and medical privacy concerns. When medics were providing aid, he stopped breathing and was taken to the hospital. Christopher Paul, 31, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The six Franconia and Mount Vernon District officers involved were put on route administrative leave after the incident. They have since been allowed to resume full duties.

"We are aware of the signs and the symptoms of an opioid overdose and other medical issues versus a mental issue, and I stand behind the actions of my officers on this case," said Roessler. "They tried to save this young man's life."

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