Police Shooting Of Crossbow Suspect Near Potomac Mills In Virginia Justified

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

The Virginia officer who fatally shot a man armed with a crossbow near Potomac Mills earlier this year will not face criminal charges, officials announced following an independent review.

The independent investigation into the July 17 shooting death of 52-year-old Harrison Charles Deppe of Woodbridge has been completed, according to a special report released Thursday, Oct. 22 by the Prince William County Police Department.

Deppe was shot and killed by police in the area of Garza Way and Potomac Mills Circle after running toward the mall with a crossbow following an hours-long standoff, police previously said. 

He was already wanted for allegedly pointing a firearm at a stranger the day before during an unprovoked encounter on Colchester Road.

No officers or bystanders were injured, and police said there was no ongoing threat to the community.

The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) — made up of investigators from multiple Northern Virginia law enforcement agencies — conducted the criminal investigation into the shooting. 

The completed report was presented to Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth, who determined that “no charges will be sought against the officer involved.”

According to the department, the case will now move to an internal administrative review by the Office of Professional Standards. 

Following that, the Use of Deadly Force Review Board will conduct a final assessment to determine whether the shooting “was justified and within policy.”

The July 17 incident began when officers located Deppe parked in a vehicle near Potomac Mills after receiving reports of a similar encounter earlier that day on Birchdale Avenue. 

Police said they spent “multiple hours” negotiating with him before surrounding the vehicle. Deppe then jumped out holding a crossbow and ran toward the shopping complex, where he was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.