WOODBRIDGE, Va. — The man who was shot dead by a Prince William County police officer during an early-morning confrontation on Wednesday has been identified by authorities as Michael David Burke, 58.
The event happened in the back parking lot of the Central District Police Station and Department of Fire & Rescue Station 26 on Davis Ford Road at around 5:06 a.m. on December 5. Police say a uniformed officer reaching the end of their shift contacted Burke, who was carrying a knife, after receiving reports of a guy on the property.
Despite repeated orders to drop the knife, Burke reportedly continued to advance toward the officer while brandishing it, according to the police. The cop shot Burke in the upper body with their service weapon as he kept coming closer.
Burke received urgent medical attention from the local fire station’s first responders and other cops before being taken to a neighboring hospital, where he passed away. Police stressed that the event was limited to the property’s grounds and that no cops, firefighters, rescue workers, or members of the public were hurt.
At Police Chief Peter Newsham’s request, the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is spearheading the inquiry. While the inquiry is ongoing, the involved officer has been placed on regular administrative leave.
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