Fairfax County Police Fatally Shoot Man In McLean Home

MCLEAN, VA — Fairfax County Police officers shot and killed a man in McLean Thursday night after a struggle between the man and the officers, according to the police department.

Jasper Aaron Lynch, 26, of McLean was holding a bottle and an object, believed to be a large decorative wooden tribal mask, police said. The department said three officers attempted to de-escalate the situation with verbal commands inside the foyer of Lynch's home.

Lynch then threw the mask at an officer and began to swing the bottle in a striking motion, according to police. Two officers attempted to use their Tasers on Lynch. But Lynch ran toward the officers while swinging the bottle, police said. The third police officer then fired his gun, hitting Lynch four times.

When fire and rescue personnel arrived, Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police officers responded to the “man in crisis” call at Lynch's home in the 6900 block of Arbor Lane in McLean two times Thursday night.

At about 7:11 p.m. on Thursday, officers went to the home after a family friend called the police with concerns for his safety. The family friend said Lynch was throwing objects inside the home and pacing.

A designated co-responder unit responded. This team included an officer assigned to the Fairfax County Police Department's Crisis Intervention Team and a clinician from the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health.

Lynch left the residence prior to the team’s arrival at 7:26 p.m., police said. The team remained in the area, trying to find Lynch. The co-responder unit then went to the McLean District Station to speak with Lynch’s family by phone.

At 8:34 p.m., a second call for service was placed by a family friend. This time, three crisis intervention trained officers arrived at the home and spoke to a family member on the scene. The officers found Lynch inside holding the bottle and the large decorative wooden tribal mask, police said.

The officer who shot and killed Lynch has been identified as a 10-year veteran. The officer is assigned to the McLean District Station. Consistent with department policy, all three officers involved in this incident have been placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of an administrative investigation by the department's Internal Affairs Bureau, according to the department.

An independent review will also be conducted by the Police Auditor. The name of the officer who fired the shot that killed Lynch will be released within 10 days, unless there is a credible threat to the safety of the officer involved or if additional time is required to thoroughly complete the risk assessment process, police said.

A criminal investigation into the use of force is being conducted by the department's Major Crimes Bureau. The department will release body camera footage and audio recordings within 30 days or when it no longer jeopardizes the integrity of the investigation.

"We're committed to a thorough and impartial investigation," Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a news conference Thursday.

This is the second fatal police shooting by Fairfax County Police officers in the past week. Last Thursday, police officers shot and killed Christian Parker, 37, of Reston in the parking lot of Springfield Town Center.

Davis said at the news conference that there is "no correlation between the Springfield Town Center fatal police-involved shooting and this police-involved shooting."

In the McLean incident, when officers responded to the original “man in crisis” call in the McLean home, the mental health clinician was dispatched as well and spoke to the people who made the call before leaving the scene, Davis said at the news conference.

The mental health clinician did not join the police officers on the second visit to the home. Davis said Thursday night that he did not know why the clinician did not go with the police officers on the second visit.

Fairfax County Police began sending out co-responders with officers in 2021 to help deal with mental health calls.

RELATED:

• Herndon Police Officer Involved In Shooting On Administrative Leave
• Police Identify Man Fatally Shot By Officers In Springfield