Former Virginia Officer Charged With Murder of Unarmed Man

A former Fairfax County, Va., police officer was charged with second-degree murder Monday, nearly two years after he shot and killed an unarmed Springfield man who stood with his hands raised in the doorway of his home, reports the Washington Post .

The indictment of the officer in the killing of 46-year-old John Geer, who had a holstered gun at his feet when he was shot, marks the first time in the 75-year history of the Fairfax County Police Department that an officer has faced criminal prosecution in connection with an on-duty shooting.

Geer's death in August 2013 sparked protests, shook trust in law enforcement, and prompted county officials to begin a broad review of the department's use of force and the way it communicates with the public about police shootings.

A special grand jury in Fairfax County returned the indictment against the officer after hearing six days of testimony from nearly 20 witnesses, including a detective, Geer's family and other officers who responded to the scene. The officer did not testify.

Fairfax County police said the officer turned himself in on Monday evening and is being held without bond at the county jail.

After an internal investigation and appeal process, the officer was fired July 31, police said. He had been an officer since January 2006 but had been on administrative duty since August 2013.