FAIRFAX, Va. — Newly released body camera video from the Fairfax County Police Department captures the intense moments leading up to a deadly traffic stop shootout that left two officers wounded and the suspect fatally shot.
The shooting happened on April 23 near the Greenbriar Town Center in Fairfax, Virginia. Officers had pulled over the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Jamal Wali, for a traffic violation. According to police, Wali immediately told the responding officer that he was armed.
“I have a gun and I’m armed,” Wali said as the officer approached the driver’s side of his vehicle, according to body camera video released by the department.
The officer remained calm, asking for Wali’s license. Wali, visibly agitated and shouting from the driver’s seat, refuses to hand over his license.
“I don’t have a license. Go back, sit in the f---ing car, and leave,” Wali says.
According to Chief Kevin Davis, Wali, who came to the U.S. in 2014 after serving as a translator for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, expressed frustration about his treatment in the United States and said he was unable to find work or receive disability benefits.
At one point, Wali shouted, “I should have served with the f---ing Taliban. They’re better than you.”
Wali also said he had four children and claimed he previously served in the special forces, video shows. His statements quickly escalated into a rant, during which he turned on a GoPro camera and said, “Today’s the day, buddy.”
As backup officers arrived, one positioned himself at the passenger side of the vehicle while another moved to the driver’s side. When the driver-side officer attempted to detain Wali, he pulled away, drew a handgun and fired several rounds.
A single bullet struck both officers who were positioned on the driver’s side of the car in the arm, Davis said during a news conference.
Officer Ian LaChapelle, stationed at the passenger side, returned fire. According to Davis, he fired four rounds, fatally striking Wali.
LaChapelle’s response likely prevented further injury, Davis said.
“We are very fortunate we didn’t have two police funerals,” Davis said. “His actions, his deployment of that deadly force saved the lives of the two officers who were on the driver’s side of the car. There’s no doubt about that.”
Officers provided life-saving measures at the scene, but Wali was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The two officers who were shot were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The bodycam video shows officers trying to prevent Wali from reaching for his firearm before he opened fire. Police say Wali also appeared to attempt reloading and aiming at the third officer, but LaChapelle acted first.
According to Fairfax County Police, Wali had a history of encounters with law enforcement. He was previously charged in 2018 with eluding police and resisting arrest. Just days before the shooting, he had been pulled over for driving on a suspended license.
The Fairfax County Police Department said Wali’s family has reviewed the footage. Once the internal investigation is complete, the case will be referred to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review. Chief Davis said he expects the use of force will be deemed justified.
