A graphic bodycam video shows a 6-foot-tall woman charging at a police officer and repeatedly stabbing him before the officer opened fire and fatally shot the “agitated” woman.
According to The New York Post, 33-year-old Sydney Wilson was shot by Fairfax County Officer Peter Liu in the hallway of an apartment complex in Reston, Virginia, which is located near Washington, D.C., on September 16 as the officer was attempting to conduct a welfare check on Wilson.
The Fairfax County Police Department released footage from the September 16 incident on Monday. The video showed an “agitated” Wilson quickly opening and closing her apartment door after Liu knocked on her door shortly after 10 a.m.
In a video clip shared on X, formerly Twitter, Wilson can be seen re-opening her door as she is clothed in a bathrobe. Wilson can then be heard asking the officer, “How are you?” before taking out a kitchen knife and stabbing the knife at the officer’s head.
In the bodycam video, Liu can be seen pulling out his firearm and backing down the apartment complex hallway.
Despite Liu drawing his gun and his warning for the woman to “back up,” Wilson can be seen charging toward the officer and repeatedly stabbing him in the face. After being stabbed multiple times, Liu fired his gun, shooting the woman three times before she fell to the ground.
Addressing the fatal shooting incident, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis explained that Liu did everything possible to try to de-escalate the crisis situation but was ultimately backed into a dead-end hallway, forcing him to open fire at Wilson.
“It could have been much, much, much worse,” Davis stated. He added, “The slash, gash and slash wound he received was at the top of his forehead.”
Police officials said the 33-year-old was rushed to a local hospital after the incident, where she was pronounced dead. Liu was also transported to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
“Any loss of life is something that we all mourn,” Davis added. “The person whose life was lost in this particular case is no different; she has a family and friends and loved ones who love her very much, who care about her and undoubtedly are grieving and upset and we acknowledge that and we pray and our thoughts are with this particular family.”
The New York Post reported that Liu is currently on administrative duties while the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO:
