Newly released bodycam footage reveals a Fairfax police officer fatally shooting a knife-wielding woman during a wellness check after she attacked him. The officer, retreating and issuing verbal commands, ultimately fired his firearm when the woman continued her assault with the knife.

FAIRFAX, VA (2-minute read) — Bodycam footage released by Fairfax County Police shows a tense encounter between officer Peter Liu and 33-year-old Sydney Wilson that ended in a fatal shooting during a wellness check. The incident occurred after Wilson’s doctor raised concerns about her mental health, prompting Liu, a crisis intervention officer, to visit her apartment.

Upon arrival, Liu knocked on Wilson’s door, and after a brief interaction, she closed the door again. The officer continued knocking for nearly ten minutes, but when Wilson reopened the door, she immediately slashed at Liu with a knife. Liu backed up into the hallway, drawing his firearm and repeatedly ordering Wilson to retreat. Despite his commands, Wilson continued to advance with the knife raised.

Liu, retreating down the dead-end hallway, pleaded with her to “please back up.” Though Wilson briefly stopped, she quickly resumed her advance, again attempting to slash the officer. Cornered, Liu fired his firearm as Wilson continued to attack, striking her. As Liu moved into the hallway, Wilson grabbed him and slashed him once more, forcing him to fire additional rounds.

Wilson collapsed after the shooting, and backup officers soon arrived. Despite efforts to resuscitate Wilson, she was pronounced dead on the scene. Officer Liu was left with a deep gash on his forehead from Wilson’s knife. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis praised Liu’s handling of the situation, though he remains on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Sydney Wilson Shooting is example of Maintaining Distance

One critical factor in this encounter was the officer’s effort to maintain distance between himself and Wilson. It’s widely recognized that suspects armed with knives can close the gap in an instant, even from several feet away.

This rapid closing of distance, often referred to as the “21-foot rule” in law enforcement, illustrates how quickly a knife-wielding individual can become a lethal threat. Maintaining distance is vital because a person with a knife can potentially harm someone before they have time to react, especially in confined spaces like hallways. Officer Liu’s attempts to keep a safe distance demonstrate the importance of spatial awareness when dealing with armed individuals.

Safety Tip: When dealing with a potentially dangerous individual, especially in a crisis situation, maintaining distance and seeking backup are essential to ensure safety.