Black Lives Matter Protest Draws Crowd In McLean

MCLEAN, VA — An estimated hundred or more protesters turned up for a Black Lives Matter rally at McLean High School Wednesday.

Protests around Fairfax County and the U.S. have been organized in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. Floyd, a black man, died after a nearly nine-minute video showed a police officer holding a knee on Floyd's neck. The officer and three other officers on the scene are facing charges.

The McLean rally featured speakers and a march from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of the school. Among the attendees was Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust. Chopper footage from NBC4 showed a sizable crowd.

The issue of racial injustice hit close to home during a use of force incident involving Fairfax County Police. Police Chief Ed Roessler Jr. called for criminal and administrative investigations after an officer used a stun gun on a black civilian in Hybla Valley. A body-worn camera video released by the police department appeared to show the stun gun use while the civilian appeared to be in crisis and did not show aggressive actions. Prosecutors said in court the officer believed the civilian was someone else when he used the stun gun, according to WTOP.

The officer, Tyler Timberlake, was charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault and battery.After the alleged assault, the civilian was taken to a hospital and released.

Foust, who represents McLean on the Board of Supervisors, called the Minneapolis and Fairfax County incidents "disgusting" and said they exemplify why police reform is needed.