In the winter of 2013, a domestic disturbance call to an Alexandria, Virginia apartment complex tragically ended the life of 30-year-old Taft Sellers, a former Marine and graduate of T.C. Williams High School. On February 17th of that year, Sellers' sister contacted police to report that her brother was armed with a gun following an argument between them, though she noted he had not made any threats.
The situation escalated when police arrived at the Duke Street apartment complex and encountered Sellers in a stairwell. As more officers responded to the scene, Sellers concealed himself behind a wall. According to official reports, he refused repeated commands from the officers to show his hands. The standoff reached a critical point when Sellers allegedly pointed his fully loaded weapon at the officers.
Fearing for their lives, seven officers fired a total of 37 shots from handguns, a shotgun, and a rifle. Sellers was struck five times in the head and abdomen and was pronounced dead at the scene. He did not fire his weapon. An investigation later revealed that Sellers had sent emails to friends and family earlier that day that suggested he was contemplating suicide. He had a history of treatment for depression.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the seven officers involved were placed on administrative duty. Following an investigation, the Commonwealth's Attorney cleared all of the officers of any criminal wrongdoing, concluding that their use of deadly force was justified under the circumstances as an act of self-defense. An internal investigation by the Alexandria Police Department also found the officers' actions to be 'reasonable and in compliance with Department policy,' and they were subsequently returned to regular duty.
