Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Paul G. Behan, Jr.
Age : 61
Gender : Male
Race : White
Date : 08/12/2024
Location : Overlook Condominiums 5101 Maris Ave
City : Alexandria
County : Fairfax
State : Virginia
Agency : Alexandria Police Department
Officer(s) :Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during “man with gun” call
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/12/2024, Alexandria police responded to the Alexandria Overlook Apartments at 5101 Maris Avenue after one of Paul G. Behan Jr.'s coworkers reported that Behan was intoxicated, despondent over a recent job suspension, experiencing marital problems, armed with a firearm, and threatening suicide. Officers responded to conduct a welfare check. When Behan opened the apartment door, he was holding a Beretta CX4 Storm 9 mm carbine under his chin and repeatedly stated that he wanted to kill himself. Officers immediately backed away, created distance, and began negotiating with him.
Over the next approximately 24 minutes, patrol officers and a trained crisis negotiator repeatedly attempted to persuade Behan to surrender peacefully. Body-worn camera footage later released by the Alexandria Police Department showed officers encouraging him to put the rifle down, reminding him that he had reasons to live, and attempting to de-escalate the encounter. During the standoff, Behan twice raised and pointed the rifle toward officers. After the second time he aimed the weapon at police, a Special Operations officer fired three rounds, striking Behan. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Alexandria Police Department requested an independent criminal investigation by an outside law enforcement agency. The investigation was presented to Alexandria Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter, who concluded in October 2024 that the officer's use of deadly force was legally justified and declined to file criminal charges. Following that decision, the department released body-worn camera footage and investigative materials. The officer who fired was described as a nine-year veteran assigned to the Special Operations Team, but Alexandria Police did not publicly identify him by name.
Following release of the body-camera footage, Interim Chief Raul Pedrosa stated the department would conduct a separate administrative review examining policy compliance, training, supervision, and crisis-response practices. Public reporting through 2026 identified no civil lawsuit filed by Behan's family and no disciplinary action against the involved officer.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/10/24/alexandria-police-fatal-shooting-paul-behan/
BWC:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/10/24/alexandria-police-fatal-shooting-paul-behan/
