Man Who Shot Alexandria Cop To Be Released Under Supervision

A man that shot and nearly killed an Alexandria Police officer in 2013 will be released from a mental health facility, a judge in Alexandria Circuit Court decided Thursday.

Kashif Bashir will be released from the facility and move to an apartment under supervision, NBC Washington reported. Bashir, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and had been found not guilty by reason of insanity for the February 2013 shooting.

Evidence from the trial showed Bashir was listening to voices inside his head when he shot Alexandria Police Officer Peter Laboy in the head in Old Town. The officer had tried to pull over Bashir, a cab driver, after receiving a lookout call. The officer went to the hospital in critical condition, had to retire because of his injuries and continues to be affected by his brain injury. Bashir had fled from the scene and was arrested in Fairfax County.

Bashir reportedly harassed workers at an Old Town Alexandria business and had driven by the next day, The Washington Post reported. Doctors said he intended to rape a female employee at a business and kill a cop.

Laboy had heard from prosecutors recently that mental health officials recommended Bashir be released to a halfway house, according to The Post. Bashir has reportedly been allowed to leave the hospital to visit a mosque and other places.

Image of Officer Peter Laboy via Alexandria Police