Officers on administrative leave after shooting in Woodbridge; Chief calls incident an “ambush”

Officer Involved Shooting Investigation – On November 4 at 5:41PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 1100 block of Laurel St in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a shots fired call.

As officers were arriving in the area, a suspect began shooting at them with a rifle. A police cruiser was struck multiple times by the suspect in the process (see attached photos). Two of the officers on scene returned fire. The suspect was struck in the upper body and subsequently detained in front of the residence. No officers were injured. The suspect was flown to an area hospital with serious injuries.

Investigators are actively working to determine what lead up to the shooting. Police Chief Barry Barnard described the shooting in a news release as an “ambush.”

Chief Barnard added, “The photos of the police cruiser demonstrate the great risk and danger our officers faced when they responded to the call that evening. The officers showed immense courage and bravery through their actions as they encountered immediate and unprovoked gunfire from the suspect who was armed with a rifle. I am thankful no officers or innocent residents were harmed during this dangerous altercation.”

The suspect has been identified as a 29-year-old man who reportedly lives at the home where the officers were responding. The suspect remains hospitalized at this time.

Other homes in the area were also reportedly struck during the incident. No other injuries were reported.

The involved officers were placed on routine paid leave during the investigation. The Prince William County Police Department is the lead agency handling this incident.

A criminal investigation and separate administrative investigation are currently underway. More details are still being gathered in this incident and will be released when available. The investigation continues.