On the evening of October 30, 2013, a confrontation at the Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter on Richmond Highway in Mount Vernon, Virginia, left 28-year-old James Bryant dead. Fairfax County police were called for reports of a man assaulting other residents. Officers say Bryant assaulted one officer and took his baton, then used it against a second officer; that officer, PFC Mohammed Oluwa, then fired his service weapon. Bryant was taken to a hospital where he died; the baton-struck officer was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Bryant’s parents questioned the use of lethal force, saying he was unarmed and that the shelter felt like a safe place for him. A shelter witness reported seeing Bryant on the ground with an officer over him and said no weapon was visible. The two officers were placed on administrative leave while Fairfax County Police investigated. The Commonwealth’s Attorney, Raymond F. Morrogh, reviewed the shooting and announced no basis for criminal charges against PFC Oluwa; the officer later returned to patrol. An internal administrative inquiry also followed to determine whether departmental policies were followed.

If anyone was at the shelter that night or has information about Bryant’s interaction with officers before the shooting, please share what is known.