(The Center Square) – Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has commuted the prison sentence of former Fairfax County police officer Wesley Shifflett, who was convicted of reckless handling of a firearm in the fatal 2023 shooting of a suspected shoplifter.
Youngkin said the punishment was excessive since Shifflett was acquitted of the more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Youngkin announced the commutation on Sunday, March 2, stating the punishment exceeded sentencing guidelines.
“I am convinced that the court’s sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system—that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences,” Youngkin said. “I want to emphasize that a jury acquitted Sgt. Shifflett of the more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter, a conviction for which the sentencing guidelines recommend no jail time or up to six months’ incarceration.”
Youngkin also noted that the court had ignored a probation officer’s recommendation that he serve no prison time. “It is in the interest of justice that he be released immediately,” he said.
On Feb. 22, 2023, Shifflett and another officer responded to a report of a shoplifting incident at Tysons Corner Center. The suspect, Timothy Johnson, 37, was accused of stealing a pair of sunglasses from a Nordstrom store. When Shifflett and the other responding officer arrived, Johnson fled, leading them on a foot chase into a nearby wooded area.
During the pursuit, Shifflett fired his weapon twice, striking Johnson in the chest. Johnson was unarmed and later succumbed to his injuries.
Shifflett testified that he fired in self-defense, saying he saw Johnson reach into his waistband, possibly for a weapon. Prosecutors argued Shifflett acted recklessly by chasing Johnson into a dark, wooded area and firing two shots without confirming Johnson was armed.
Shifflett faced charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless handling of a firearm. In October 2024, a jury acquitted him of involuntary manslaughter but found him guilty of reckless handling of a firearm, a Class 6 felony.
On Feb. 28, 2025, Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows sentenced Shifflett to five years in prison, with two years suspended, resulting in a three-year active sentence. The court also imposed an additional five years of probation.
“I’m outraged at Youngkin’s decision tonight,” said Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. “Glenn Youngkin has spent the last four years honing his Trump impersonation, and now he’s following in his footsteps by commuting sentences just to score political points. This is an insult to all Virginians who value an untainted justice system.”
