Police release bodycam video of cop fatally shooting 6'5" woman who slashed his face, kept advancing despite warnings to stop

Fairfax County, Virginia, police on Monday released bodycam video of an officer fatally shooting a 6'5" woman last month who slashed the officer's face and kept advancing on him despite his repeated warnings for her to stop.

Police said the officer just after 10 a.m. Sept. 16 responded to a residence in the 11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston for a welfare check following a request from a mental health professional who said 33-year-old Sydney Wilson was in an agitated state. Reston is about a half hour northwest of Washington, D.C.

The officer retreated and tried to de-escalate the situation with repeated verbal commands for Wilson to 'back up!'

The officer, who was trained in crisis intervention, knocked on Wilson’s door, police said, adding that Wilson opened and immediately closed the door. The officer continued to try to speak with Wilson for two minutes and 45 seconds, explaining he wanted to check on her welfare, police said.

When Wilson opened the door again, she was holding a knife and immediately assaulted the officer outside the residence, police said.

Image source: Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department video screenshot

The officer retreated and tried to de-escalate the situation with repeated verbal commands for Wilson to "back up!" Police said the officer had backed into a dead-end hallway, but Wilson continued to advance toward him while holding the knife.

Image source: Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department video screenshot

Police said Wilson struck the officer in the head with the knife, and the officer fired his gun, striking Wilson three times in her upper body, police said.

Wilson was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead, police said.

The officer in question — First Class Peter Liu, a 14-year department veteran — was placed on restricted duty amid a departmental investigation, police said.

Image source: Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department video screenshot

Image source: Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department

Soon after the deadly incident, police said Wilson had multiple encounters with officers this year, and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis described Wilson as standing six feet, five inches tall and weighing around 330 pounds, WDVM-TV reported.

According to Wilson's obituary, in 2009 she accepted a full scholarship to Georgetown University where she played basketball, was a co-captain during her senior season, and was a member of the NAACP Georgetown University Chapter.

You can view the officer's bodycam video below as part of the police department's Monday news conference. Content warning: The bodycam video is intense and may be disturbing to some viewers:

- YouTubeyoutu.be

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Republican candidate violently attacked while putting up campaign signs in Las Vegas in broad daylight: Report

A man running for state office in Nevada was reportedly violently attacked in broad daylight while putting up campaign signs about a week and a half ago.

Around 4 p.m. on August 29, Stanley Vaughan braved the Las Vegas heat and walked about and put up campaign signs for himself and other candidates near the intersection of Pecos Road and Twain Avenue, about five miles east of the Las Vegas Strip.

Vaughan believes that the suspect is homeless, reporting that he had a disheveled appearance and that he likely hadn't bathed in days.

Vaughan then turned to affix a sign to a chain-link fence when suddenly a man wielding a knife approached him and demanded his wallet, he claimed.

"I‘m so focused on getting the cable ties through and getting them through the fence, I wasn’t paying attention to pedestrians and stuff coming through here," Vaughan recalled to KVVU. "I had my back turned. I turned around, [and he] caught me by surprise."

Vaughan — an Army veteran, martial arts enthusiast, and the security and police liaison for his homeowners' association — said he responded "instinctively" by kicking the would-be mugger. At that point, the suspect "ran away," Vaughan said.

Unfortunately, that was not the end of the matter. It turns out that the suspect managed to slice him in the forearm with the knife.

"I jumped into the car, and then I realized I was bleeding," Vaughan said.

Vaughan then drove home, where his wife, a nurse, attended to his injury. His forearm was still wrapped in bandages when he spoke with KVVU.

Vaughan believes that the suspect is homeless, reporting that he had a disheveled appearance and that he likely hadn't bathed in days. Vaughan told KVVU he will no longer be going out by himself to put campaign signs up.

Police are treating the attack as an isolated incident.

Detectives have also apparently identified a suspect, as KVVU reported that they "have not tied the perpetrator to any crimes in the area." So far, no names have been released.

Vaughan, 67, is running as a Republican for the Nevada Assembly seat for District 20. His opponent, incumbent state Assemblyman David Orentlicher (D), condemned the attack.

"I am very concerned and saddened to hear about the attack on Mr. Vaughan, and I wish him a speedy recovery. We all should be able to feel safe in our communities, and I am committed to continuing our work to reduce crime across Nevada. I hope the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions," Orentlicher said in a statement to KVVU.

Orentlicher — a Democrat, a UNLV law professor, a medical doctor, and a self-described expert "in medical ethics" — previously received the Distinguished Legislative Service Award from Planned Parenthood for "his 'strong and tenacious support' of the Planned Parenthood mission," his website says.

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'We need to cut all their throats!' UK official arrested on suspicion of encouraging murder of anti-immigration protesters

A United Kingdom official was arrested after he called for the throats of anti-immigration protesters to be cut, the Independent reported.

Ricky Jones, who sits on the Dartford Borough Council, also was suspended by the Labour Party after his Wednesday outdoor speech before a "cheering crowd" in Walthamstow, east London, the outlet said.

'This horrific man needs arresting, and all those visibly clapping here should have this video sent to their bosses and families. There’s no place for this murderous talk anywhere in our society.'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on Thursday posted video on X showing the speech in question. The Daily Mail reported that Jones in his "inflammatory speech" hollered, "They are disgusting, nasty fascists, and we need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all!" The clip shows him sliding his finger across his throat as he spoke; he then led a “free, free Palestine!" chant.

In addition, Jones "accused members of the far-right of putting National Front stickers with razor blades hidden behind them on trains," the Daily Mail added.

The Independent said Metropolitan Police posted a statement on X saying "officers have arrested a man aged in his 50s at an address in south-east London. He was held on suspicion of encouraging murder and for an offense under the Public Order Act. He is in custody at a south London police station.”

What's more, a Labour Party spokesperson said “this behavior is completely unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated. The councillor has been suspended from the party," the Independent reported.

Mike Galsworthy, chair of the anti-Brexit European Movement UK, noted on X that "this horrific man needs arresting, and all those visibly clapping here should have this video sent to their bosses and families. There’s no place for this murderous talk anywhere in our society.”

A deadly mass stabbing took place July 29 at a Taylor Swift-themed children's dance class in Southport, England, during which a 17-year-old male was accused of killing three and injuring numerous other victims. Officials initially said there was no evidence that terrorism was a motive, which angered many who accused the government of covering up evidence.

Police identified suspect Axel Rudakubana and charged him with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. Officials identified him as being from Cardiff but also noted that his parents are Rwandan.

Unrest and violence erupted the day after the stabbings and have spread across the U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the violence and blamed "far-right thuggery."

Radio host Glenn Beck, co-founder of Blaze Media, on Tuesday opined that "two-tier justice" — in which police more or less ignore Muslim immigrant crime but come down hard on non-Muslims — has been laid bare in the U.K. in the wake of the deadly knife attack.

This week, Austrian authorities arrested a 19-year-old male, accusing him of a terror plot targeting now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna. Authorities said he was radicalized by the Islamic State, "thinks it is right to kill infidels," and confessed he wanted to "kill as many people as possible."

Authorities found Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at the home of a second suspect in the terror plot — a 17-year-old male — and added that he was employed just days ago by a company providing services at the concert venue and was arrested by special police forces near the stadium, the Associated Press said.

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Video: Hero female cop fatally guns down knifeman who stabbed 6 bystanders to death at busy shopping center in Australia

Authorities say six people were fatally stabbed by a man in a busy shopping mall on Saturday afternoon in Sydney, Australia. The attacker was gunned down by a female police officer, who is being heralded as a hero.

New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb said four women and a man died at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall, while another woman passed away at the hospital.

Ash Good, 38, was rushed to St Vincent’s hospital in a critical condition, but died soon after arriving on Saturday.

Good's baby daughter reportedly remains in a serious condition at the Sydney Children’s Hospital and required emergency surgery.

Two male eyewitnesses – who are brothers – told 9News, "The baby got stabbed. "The mum got stabbed and the mum came over with the baby and threw it at me and (I) was holding the baby."

“We were holding the baby and trying to compress the baby,” one brother said. “Same with the mother, trying to compress the blood from stopping.”

Besides the baby, eight people are currently being treated for stab injuries in hospitals around Sydney.

— (@)

The attacker went on a stabbing rampage at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall on Saturday afternoon.

Around 3.20 p.m. local time, the attacker "engaged with" nine people as he moved through, "causing harm," according to law enforcement.

One brave man put his life in jeopardy by confronting the knifeman. Harrowing video shows the hero challenging the knifeman while holding a bollard as a weapon on an escalator.

Footage inside Bondi Junction Westfield of a man fending off the stabber with a bollard on the escalator.
— (@)

The attacker's murderous onslaught was finally stopped by a heroic female police officer.

NSW’s Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said a senior police inspector was nearby when the stabbing attack transpired.

Video shows the cop running toward the man with the knife.

She shot the suspect in the chest and killed him.

The hero cop administered CPR to the suspect, but was unable to revive him.

“She discharged her firearm, and that person is now deceased,” Cooke stated.

Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said, “It shows you what an incredible community we are here in Waverley. These demonstrations of heroism are truly awe-inspiring."

"She (the police officer) was there on her own and she went towards the danger," Masselos added. "Even [after she shot the attacker], she immediately began applying CPR – that just shows you the dedication of the person and her incredible act of heroism – even then, her main concern was for someone who had fallen."

Police said the suspect was a 40-year-old man who was known to police. The suspect's identity has yet to be released.

Webb said investigators do not know of the motive for the attack, but told reporters that she doesn't believe the stabbing spree was a terrorist attack.

Webb said the investigation will be ongoing "for many many days," and it is "too early to say" to determine the motivation behind the deadly knife attack.

Authorities said the suspect acted alone.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese said the deadly attack was "beyond words or understanding."

"For all of us tonight, the devastating scenes at Bondi Junction are beyond words or understanding. Australians will be shocked this evening. This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeted at innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday doing their shopping," Albanese said.

"Today Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence. But it was also witness to the humanity and the heroism of our fellow Australians," Albanese stated. "Our brave police, our first responders, and of course everyday people who could never have imagined they would face such a moment."

Webb said of the hero cop, "She showed enormous courage and bravery, and she will process obviously that."

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The moment police officer chases down attacker in Bondi Westfield | 7 News Australia www.youtube.com

Knife-wielding nut picks wrong victim to attack — a former MMA fighter who introduces new opponent to surface of parking lot

Instincts and training kicked in at just the right moment for a former mixed martial artist who was out late after Halloween officially ended — and then found himself face to face with the wrong end of a knife in a Cutler Bay, Florida, parking lot.

What happened?

Javier Baez told WPLG-TV that he was headed home around 4 a.m. Nov. 1 when he encountered 50-year-old Omar Marrero holding the knife and yelling in the parking lot.

The station, citing an arrest report, said Marrero began hitting Baez's car window with the knife and then opened the driver-side door and tried to cut Baez.

Baez exited his vehicle and tried to de-escalate things, but WPLG, citing the report, said Marrero kept swinging the knife.

Marrero soon went back to his vehicle, placed the knife on his front passenger side floor, and then began fighting Baez, the station said.

Moments later, Marrero returned to his car, grabbed a second large knife, and tried to cut Baez several times, WPLG reported.

But when Marrero tried rushing up to Baez, video shows the former MMA fighter overpowering his new opponent with great ease and speed, lifting Marrero up, slamming him to the ground, and disarming him.

“You train so many times that it becomes just a reflex,” Baez noted to the station.

— (@)

Baez detained Marrero until police arrived, WPLG said.

'Easy peasy'

“Once I started putting the choke in, he kind of just let it go because no one is worried about anything else but breathing when you’re losing air,” Baez added to the station. “I was able to hold him down with my knee and call the cops, and he woke up, cops came, and it was good, easy peasy!”

Baez noted to WPLG that he endured only minor scratches to his hands after the outside-the-ring dust-up.

“Once it came to that, it’s all instincts. I couldn’t do much but just react,” Baez added to the station. “I’ve been training my whole life — black belt jiu-jitsu, wrestled in college, I’ve got eight pro fights, MMA masters. I’ve got great training partners.”

Baez noted to WPLG that he doesn't know Marrero personally but that he's seen him walking around the neighborhood.

What happened to the suspect?

Marrero was facing one count each of burglary with assault or battery and aggravated battery, the station said, citing jail records.

Last Friday, he was being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, WPLG reported.

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Four toddlers savagely stabbed by Syrian asylum-seeker in French playground rampage now in stable condition

A 31-year-old Syrian asylum-seeker slashed his way through a French park and into a playground Thursday, trying desperately to butcher every child within reach.

Four toddlers, between the ages of 1 and 3, were cut up along with two adults, ages 70 and 78. Despite their life-threatening wounds, all victims survived, though two remain in critical condition.

The attacker, identified as Abdalmasih H., moved from Syria to Sweden in 2013, where he married a native Swede whom he previously met in Turkey. The couple, who have a 3-year-old together, recently split up, reported the Telegraph.

The attacker, recently fined for simultaneously claiming a student grant and unemployment support, had his asylum request granted in Sweden in April 2023, though made clear he'd prefer to live in France, having submitted an asylum bid to that effect in November 2022.

While French authorities rejected his asylum request on April 26, his approved claim in Sweden enabled the attacker to travel throughout the European Union passport-free, reported Sky News.

Thursday morning, just days after the attacker was notified his asylum request had been rejected, he reportedly stalked his victims in the Paquier park on the shores of Lake Annecy.

A witness, identified as Ferdinand, told the broadcaster BFMTV that after the attacker entered the playground, "he started screaming, he walked towards the strollers and started repeatedly stabbing the little ones."

The attacker, wearing a headscarf, can be seen in footage of the incident circling the playground and brandishing a long knife then tangling with a 24-year-old man with a backpack who attempted to block his way.

The 24-year-old, a man named Henri on a tour of France's cathedrals, was under the mistaken impression the attacker was merely trying to steal a purse until he saw the suspect slash the children, reported the New York Times.

Henri attempted to intervene, but the attacker managed to chase down then slash a woman pushing a stroller. Unlike a number of the male passersby, the woman put up a tremendous fight, protecting the baby in the stroller then grappling with the knife-wielding maniac.

Despite the woman's efforts, the Syrian asylum-seeker managed to land a few stabs into the stroller.

The attacker made a couple more passes through the playground before fleeing with Henri hot on his heels and four badly injured toddlers in his wake.

Two of the young victims were French, one was British, and the other was Dutch, according to lead prosecutor Line Bonnet-Mathis.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said that all four children underwent surgery and are "under constant medical surveillance" but remain in stable condition, reported NBC News.

The attacker, chased by Henri and others, made his way into an open field where law enforcement intercepted him.

"When he saw that he was surrounded by the police, he went to a couple and he stabbed the elderly person," Ferdinand told BFMTV.

The attacker managed to stab a 78-year-old six times.

Former Liverpool footballer Anthony Le Tallec, who was jogging around Lake Annecy at the time, recalled, "I said to the police, ‘Shoot him, kill him! He’s stabbing everyone,'" reported the Associated Press.

BFMTV indicated that the 78-year-old was caught in the crossfire, catching a bullet from police as they attempted to subdue the attacker. Police managed to put a bullet in the attacker as well, hitting him in the leg.

The arrest was caught on video:

\u201cMoment zatrzymania sprawcy ataku terrorystycznego na 3letnie dzieci #AbdalmasihH /kolorowego imigranta z Syrii. Jezioro #Annecy \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7\u2757\ud83d\ude21\u201d
— Rob Ptaszewski\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1 (@Rob Ptaszewski\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1) 1686248410

Henri said, "It is profoundly un-Christian to attack the vulnerable. The entire Christian civilisation on which our country is built is a knightly message to defend widows and orphans," reported the Independent.

French National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet said there is "nothing more abominable than to attack children."

French President Emmanuel Macron, who last year pushed for asylum-seekers to be spread to the country's rural areas rather than ejected, stressed that his administration was "working hard to welcome these refugees" and said the "nation is in shock," calling the attack one of "absolute cowardice."

A nauseating video of the attacker's attempted massacre briefly went viral on social media; however, there has been a concerted effort to remove and suppress it.

Various accounts that had posted the video on Twitter — including conservative commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek, Radio Genova, French politician Damien Rieu, and news outfit Visegrád 24 — indicated the platform had deleted the video or forced them to do so.

While the gruesome evidence of yet another European knife attack was being scrubbed online, liberal media outlets appeared to downplay critical details about the attacker's identity.

The Twitter account End Wokeness highlighted a common omission in mainstream media reports on the Syrian asylum-seeker's attack:

\u201c4 kids and 2 adults were just stabbed at a playground in Annecy, France\n\nThe attacker was a Syrian refugee but the media conveniently buries that detail\u201d
— End Wokeness (@End Wokeness) 1686229939

France has suffered a number of knife attacks by foreign nationals in recent years, including the October 2020 beheading of French secondary school teacher Samuel Paty in Paris by Abdoullakh Abouyezidovich Anzorov, an 18-year-old Islamic refugee of Chechen origin.

The South China Morning Post indicated that this latest attack will prompt greater scrutiny of France's immigration and asylum policy, particularly with mounting pressure from right-wing politicians.

Eric Ciotti, head of the French Republicans party, said, "The investigation will determine what happened, but it seems like the culprit has the same profile that you see often in these attacks."

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'Drop the knife, bro!' HS student caught on video repeatedly stabbing fellow student in back, hands before school staff break it up

A high school student in New York state was caught on video repeatedly stabbing a fellow student in the back and hands before teachers stepped in to break it up.

What are the details?

Police in Utica told WKTV-TV the altercation took place at Proctor High School on Monday morning. Police added to the station that a 17-year-old student was stabbing an 18-year-old student in a hallway, and staff members were able to intervene, with one taking the knife away.

Nursing staff helped the victim, who was stabbed multiple times in the back and hands, WKTV said. The victim was taken to a hospital; police told the station his injuries aren't considered life-threatening.

The 17-year-old student is facing attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon charges, WKTV reported.

'Drop the knife, bro!'

Cellphone video of the knife attack shows a student in a red shirt jogging down a hallway and swinging from behind at a student in a blue shirt.