Better late than never-
Officer Disciplined in IHOP Shooting
An Alexandria police officer who shot and killed a teenager last year will be disciplined, but not fired, police officials announced on Tuesday. Officer Carl Stowe was working as a security guard when he fired shots, killing 18-year-old Aaron Brown in a Duke Street IHOP parking lot on Feb. 25.
Police Chief David Baker is not commenting on the decision, but police spokesman Jamie Bartlett says Stowe faces major discipline-the maximum penalty short of being fired.
Police officials are not revealing the length of the suspension, but Bartlett says the suspension is more than three but less than 30 days off without pay. The shooting occurred after a group of teens left the restaurant allegedly after failing to pay their bill.
Stowe, a 13-year veteran of the force, fired at the teens' Jeep as it drove toward him. An internal police investigation found that Officer Stowe acted within department policy in his decision to use lethal force in self-defense, but found Stowe "unreasonably placed himself in a position that allowed the situation to elevate to a level of high risk" when he stepped in front of the Jeep.
* As a result of the incident, Alexandria Police changed their policy to prohibit officers from stepping in front of moving vehicles. Officers are also prohibited from firing at moving vehicles, except as a last resort.
The Brown family says they feel "somewhat vindicated" upon learning of Chief Baker's decision. "Aaron Brown would not have died if Officer Stowe had followed his police department's rules," the family announced in a statement through their attorney. "We are also pleased that Chief Baker has announced a new policy...we hope this prevents other needless deaths."
In June, the Alexandria Commonwealth attorney decided not to file criminal charges against Stowe.