In a tragic turn of events in McLean, Virginia, 22-year-old Jesse Brown Hernandez, a male U.S. Park Police officer, lost his life in what authorities have described as an unintentional shooting. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of November 5, 2023, inside an apartment where Hernandez was present with three other individuals, including two fellow off-duty U.S.
Park Police officers.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Alexander Roy, a 25-year-old colleague of Hernandez's on the U.S. Park Police force, was attempting to 'dry fire' a weapon, a practice of pulling the trigger of what is believed to be an unloaded firearm to simulate its discharge. Tragically, the firearm was loaded, and when Roy pulled the trigger, it fired a single shot that fatally struck Hernandez in the upper body. Responding officers found Hernandez deceased at the scene.
Investigators believe that alcohol was a contributing factor in the fatal incident. All four individuals in the apartment at the time of the shooting were known to each other. The investigation into the shooting was conducted by the Fairfax County Police Department's Major Crimes Bureau.
Following the investigation and in consultation with the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, Alexander Roy was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. He was subsequently held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond. The U.S. Park Police acknowledged the incident and stated their focus was on supporting the families and colleagues of those involved in the tragedy.
