Disturbing video captures tense moments before cop shoots knife-wielding transwoman

An American trans-woman , Sydney Wilson , was shot dead on September 16, 2024, in the US state of Virginia, after she attacked an officer with a knife.

The Fairfax County police department, VA, on Monday released a body-worn camera footage from the officer-involved shooting in Reston.

"Today the body-worn camera footage from the September 16 officer-involved shooting in Reston was released," Fairfax police department said in a statement.




According to the department, the shooting took place while an officer was responding to a welfare check request from a mental health professional. "Sydney Wilson, 33, of Reston attacked an officer with a knife that led to him discharging his firearm, striking her three times in the upper body. She was taken to an area hospital and was pronounced deceased. Police Officer First Class (PFC) Peter Liu, a 14-year veteran of the department, discharged his firearm," the police department had earlier said.

The officer, who was trained in crisis intervention, arrived at a home in the 11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive around 10:17 am local time to check on 33-year-old Sydney Wilson, who was reported to be agitated.

The video shows the officer knocking on Wilson's door, and after a brief exchange, Wilson immediately closes the door. The officer continues to attempt communication with Wilson through the door for nearly three minutes before she opens it again, this time armed with a knife.

Police officials say that Wilson immediately assaulted the officer, slashing him in the head. The officer managed to back away and tried to de-escalate the situation using verbal commands, as evident in the video footage.

However, when Wilson continued to approach the officer with the knife, cornering him, the officer fired his weapon, hitting Wilson three times.

"He did the things we train him and expect him to do," Chief Kevin Davis said in a press conference Monday afternoon. "If you can tactically reposition yourself, you do it. If you can use distance, use it. If you can seek cover and concealment, seek it. All those options weren’t available to him.”