RICHMOND, Vir. (DDN) – Former Fairfax County police officer Wesley Shifflett, who was convicted of reckless firearm handling in the fatal shooting of a suspected shoplifter in 2023, has had his jail sentence shortened by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Youngkin argued that the punishment was harsh given Shifflett’s acquittal on the more serious allegation of involuntary manslaughter.
Youngkin announced the commutation on Sunday, March 2, citing that the punishment surpassed sentencing standards.
“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 further stated that the court ignored a probation officer’s suggestion that he serve no prison time. “It is in the interest of justice that he be released immediately,” the judge stated.
On February 22, 2023, Shifflett and another officer responded to a shoplifting report at Tysons Corner Center. Timothy Johnson, 37, is accused of stealing sunglasses from a Nordstrom store. When Shifflett and the other responding officers arrived, Johnson escaped, leading them on a foot chase through a neighboring forested area.
During the pursuit, Shifflett fired his firearm twice, wounding Johnson in the chest. Johnson was unarmed and eventually died from his injuries.
Shifflett stated that he fired in self-defense after seeing Johnson reach into his waistband, potentially for a weapon. Prosecutors claimed Shifflett behaved carelessly by chasing Johnson into a dark, forested location and fired two bullets without first determining if Johnson was armed.
Shifflett was charged with involuntary manslaughter and irresponsible handling of a firearm. In October 2024, a jury cleared him of involuntary manslaughter but found him guilty of irresponsible handling of a handgun, a Class 6 felony.
On February 28, 2025, Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows sentenced Shifflett to five years in jail, two years suspended, for a three-year active term. The judge also sentenced another 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.”
Reference: Youngkin commutes sentence of former Fairfax police officer
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