Atempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] | Officer-Involved Shooting

Atempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] | Officer-Involved Shooting –

On Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10:06PM,  Prince William County Police officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 14797 Darbydale Ave in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate an initial report of a stolen vehicle.

The investigation revealed the caller exited the business to discover his 2012 Dodge Journey, which was left unsecured with keys inside, had been stolen from the parking lot.

Responding officers broadcast a BOLO (be on the lookout) for the vehicle. Around 10:54PM, an officer eventually located the vehicle on Oust Ln where contact was attempted with the sole occupant in the driver’s seat. Upon making contact, the driver, later identified as the accused, sped away, make a U-turn, and began driving directly towards the officer at a high rate of speed.

In response, the officer fired the department issued handgun at least once towards the vehicle before being forcibly struck. Immediately after striking the officer, the accused lost control and struck a parked vehicle causing the vehicle to roll onto its side where the accused then fled on foot.

Numerous residents reported suspicious sightings of an individual possibly evading police in the area which was saturated by additional responding officers. At approximately 1:30AM on June 23, the suspect eventually emerged from a wooded area near Princedale Dr and Dale Blvd where he encountered undercover detectives with the Special Investigations Bureau who were assisting in the search.

The suspect was detained without incident and was found to have sustained minor injuries from the crash. It was also determined the suspect was not struck by gunfire during the initial encounter.

The officer was transported to an area hospital with a significant head injury from impacting the roadway after being struck by the accused. The officer’s condition continues to improve, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Valmiki Deo CHANDLER, was arrested.

Although the accused was not struck or injured by the officer’s actions, the investigation has been lassified as an officer-involved shooting, according to the Prince William Police Incident Report.

The Prince William County Police Department is primary on both the criminal investigation and separate, independent administrative investigation in the incident which are both continuing. The involved officer will remain on administrative leave per policy as he recovers, and both investigations continue.

Arrested on June 23:
Valmiki Deo CHANDLER, 18, of 4513 Eastlawn Ave in Woodbridge
Charged with attempted murder of a LEO, aggravated malicious wounding, felony hit & run, felony eluding, and felony grand larceny auto theft
Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond
-end-

Anyone with information regarding the incidents listed in this report is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703.792.7000 or submit a webtip to: pwcva.gov/policetip.