Fairfax Police Shooting: Timothy Johnson's Mother Speaks in Fairfax

FAIRFAX, VA — About 50 people gathered at the Fairfax County Courthouse yesterday to support the family of Timothy Johnson. Johnson, 37, was shot to death by Fairfax Police Sgt. Wesley Shifflett on Feb. 22 while being pursued on suspicion of shoplifting at Tyson’s Mall.

Shifflett was given an "administrative separation" for "failure to live up to our expectations" after a video became public of the fatal shooting. On April 17 a grand jury decided not to indict Shifflett. But on April 26, it was announced that a second grand jury would consider charges in the case. To date, a wrongful death lawsuit has not been filed.

Timothy Johnson and his children. Left: The scene in Tysons on Feb. 22.

Fairfax NAACP Michelle Leete, Pastor Vernon Walton, HD07 candidate Karen Keys-Gamarra and State Senator Chap Peterson attended the rally in front of the courthouse, among others.

Melissa Johnson, Timothy Johnson’s mother, spoke at the gathering.

“I'm not a angry person or a bitter person — it's a very unusual space for me to be in… it's just a very difficult situation for me,” she began.

“What do you do? Your faith still persists, how do you still keep fighting, you know, and still keep going through the grieving process. My life has been forever impacted since I got that knock on the door,” Johnson told the crowd of supporters and press.

Below are her complete remarks:

Pastor Vernon Walton, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna and Melissa Johnson, mother of Timothy Johnson.

State Senator Chap Peterson greets Melissa Johnson, the mother of Timothy Johnson on May 2, 2023 in Fairfax.

A woman standing behind Melissa Johnson holds a sign at a May 2nd rally in support of the family of Timothy Johnson in Fairfax.

Del. Holly Seibold and Karen Keys-Gamarra listen to Melissa Johnson speak at a rally at the Fairfax County Courthouse.

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