Who is Alexander Roy? Drunk off-duty US Park Police officer accused of fatally shooting colleague during dry fire incident
MCCLEAN, VIRGINIA: Alexander Roy, a US Park Police officer, is currently in the custody of Virginia authorities after he allegedly shot his colleague Jesse Brown Hernandez to death while he was drunk.
The incident took place on Sunday, November 5, at a private residence in McClean, according to the Fairfax County Police Department, reports Law and Crime.
What led to the shooting death of Jesse Brown Hernandez?
The Virginia authorities responded to a report of an individual being shot and upon their arrival, they discovered the 22-year-old Hernandez on the ground.
The US Park Police officer who had multiple gunshots scattered up his upper body was dead by the time officers arrived.
Upon investigation, it was determined that Hernandez was shot by Roy. When the shooting took place, both the men who were off-duty were inside an apartment.
According to the outlet, there were a total of four individuals inside the apartment and authorities stated that the four people including Hernandez and Roy were US Park Police officers.
"Preliminarily, detectives determined Alexander Roy was attempting to dry fire a firearm. Dry firing is when one simulates the discharge of a firearm by pulling the trigger of a firearm that is unloaded," said local police.
"Roy unintentionally shot the firearm he believed to be unloaded, fatally striking Hernandez. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the shooting," they added.
What are the charges against Alexander Roy?
Roy faces involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Hernandez. However, the date of his appearance in court in Fairfax County remains unclear.
Speaking to the outlet on Monday, November 6, Fairfax County court clerk said that since the shooting took place in the wee hours of Sunday morning, November 5, the charging papers had not yet reached the docket.
On Monday, US Park Police stated, "We are aware of the incident involving off-duty United States Park Police (USPP) employees at a private residence in Fairfax County."
"The incident is under investigation by the Fairfax County Police Department and all questions related to this investigation will need to be referred to them," they added.
"Our focus right now is on supporting the family, friends, and coworkers of our employees involved in this tragic incident. USPP has nothing further to share at this time," read their statement, according to Law and Crime.
It remains unclear whether the police departments have specific restrictions regarding when and where Park Police officers can carry their weapons while off-duty.
