Sheriff's Deputy 'Justified' In Accidental Shooting: Police

MANASSAS, VA — A Prince William County sheriff's deputy who accidentally shot a man last month will not face prosecution, according to a media report. After consulting with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, the Prince William police determined that the shooting was "justified," they said in a statement.

The incident occurred at about 11:15 p.m. on May 24 at an apartment complex in the 7400 block of Willoughby Lane, just south of Interstate 66 in the Manassas area. The unidentified deputy, who served a security resident in the complex, was responding to a fight that had broken out in the parking lot, according to the police statement.

The deputy was armed but off duty and not in uniform. After one person in the fight fired shots in the air, the deputy confronted the group. Another armed man ran from the scene, and the deputy chased him on foot.

That individual, identified as Herson Isaias Zelaya, 19, of Manassas, dropped his gun during the chase and then tried to retrieve it, ignoring orders from the deputy, radio station WTOP reported. The deputy fired one shot, which ricocheted and struck another man nearby, the police said.

The unidentified shooting victim, who was part of the fight, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital and later released, the police said.

FOR MORE: Off-Duty Cop Shoots Man In Manassas: Police

Zelaya was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer and assault by mob; he's due in court on July 25. In addition, the police arrested a 16-year-old juvenile at the scene of the fight and charged him with reckless handling of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

The Prince William County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a separate investigation of the incident.

Images: Shutterstock; Herson Isaias Zelaya (PWCPD)