Fatal Police Shooting Video Of Reston Woman Released

RESTON, VA — Fairfax County Police Department released body camera video on Monday from the Sept. 16 fatal officer-involved shooting of 33-year-old Sydney Wilson of Reston.

“Any loss of life is something that we all mourn, and the person whose life was lost in this particular case is no different,” Fairfax Police Chief Kevin Davis said during a Monday afternoon news conference. “She has family and friends and loved ones who love her very much, who care about her, and undoubtedly are grieving and upset. We acknowledge that and we pray with this particular family."

For about three years, the Fairfax department has had a policy to release bodycam video within 30 days of a critical event, such as the fatal shooting of Wilson in September.

“A lot of other police departments across the nation contact us, and they emulate our release policy, because it's the right thing to do for the community,” Davis said. “It's the right thing to do for those community members involved in critical incidents like this, as it is, frankly, for police officers.”

Scroll down to view the full police body camera video.

On the morning of Sept. 16, Prince William County Police Department received a report from a mental health provider asking for a welfare check, which was passed on to Fairfax police. Wilson, who was receiving services from the mental health provider, appeared to be in an agitated state, according to police.

Pfc. Peter Liu from the Fairfax Police Department's Reston District Station went to Wilson's apartment in the 11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive at 10:07 a.m. After Liu knocked on the apartment door, Wilson opened it, but she quickly closed it when the officer identified himself.

In the video, Liu is seen knocking on the door and explains he is there to conduct a welfare check. This goes on for about 2 minutes and 45 seconds. At one point, Wilson puts her phone, which is playing music, next to the door.

Then, at about 10:17 a.m., Wilson opens the door and lunges at Liu with a knife.

In the video, Liu is seen backing down the hallway with Wilson following. He tries to de-escalate the situation, shouting commands at Wilson. As she continues to approach, Liu raises his service weapon and yells at her to back up.

Wilson then slashes at Liu's face and arms, he fires his weapon several times, and the video shows Wilson dropping to the hallway floor.

With blood dripping from his hands, Liu calls for help, reporting that shots have been fired and that “the suspect is down.” He then says he needs medical assistance.

Other officers gave first aid and administered blood to Wilson until fire and rescue personnel arrived. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to the video.

Liu was also treated at the scene. He remains on restricted-duty status pending the results of an internal investigation into the events leading up to the shooting.

During Monday’s news conference, Davis talked about Fairfax County’s Co-Responder Program, in which a crisis intervention team consisting of a trained officer and a crisis intervention specialist responds to public safety calls that involve someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

In 2023, the county’s four co-responder teams responded to 2,000 calls for service, according to Davis. The teams have already responded to 2,300 incidents so far in 2024.

“They're self-deploying and they're being used throughout Fairfax County,” Davis said. “We believe that results inbetter outcomes for persons involved in mental and behavioral health crises, and we believe it results in better and safer outcomes for our police officers.”

When asked whether a crisis intervention team was available to respond to the welfare check at Wilson’s apartment on the morning of Sept. 16, Davis said a team had been alerted to it but that it was responding to another call for service.

Graphic Content Warning: The following video contains images of violence that may be disturbing to some people