Officer in Herndon Shooting Files Restraining Order Against Police Chief

HERNDON, VA — The Fairfax County police officer who fatally shot a man in Herndon last month has been granted a temporary restraining order against the county, preventing Police Chief Edwin Roessler from releasing his name.

Roessler had already announced his intentions to withhold the officer's name for the time being despite department policy dictating identifying information be released 10 days after the incident. Roessler said in a Feb. 7 statement that he had received the temporary restraining order, stating:

“The risk assessment process has not been finalized. Since the risk assessment process is not complete, I have not made a decision regarding the name release. This process exists to determine if there is any credible threat against the officer. I will carefully monitor and follow any and all legal decisions in this matter.”

The chief will be required to appear in the U.S. District for the Eastern District of Virginia on Thursday at 1 p.m. for a preliminary injunction hearing on the restraining order.

The incident in question happened on Jan. 16. Police were called to a house in the 13300 block of Covered Wagon Lane at around 2:40 p.m. on that date to a report of two men who had been shot. Once on the scene, they found a man who they later identified as possibly being 32-year-old Mohammad Azim Doudzai was inside armed with a gun, and set up a perimeter to isolate the area, according to a report from the Fairfax County Police Department.

"Preliminarily, our investigation reveals the suspect fired several shots and started a fire, both inside the home," the report states. "Officers set up a perimeter, isolated the area and began evacuating neighbors. Members of the Crisis Negotiations Team and SWAT were called to assist. They made several attempts to negotiate with the suspect and have him voluntarily surrender."

During the ordeal, officers learned another man was trapped inside and couldn't escape.

"As smoke inundated the house and billowed out the windows, officers heard repeated gunshots," the report continues. "Officers also observed the suspect holding and moving around with at least one knife. Out of concern for the hostage and the suspect, officers made the decision to approach the home."

When they approached the front door, the suspect stepped outside armed with a knife and then lunged at officers, prompting them to open fire. Officers immediately started rendering aid to the man after shooting him, but he was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.

Image via Fairfax County Police Department