MONWEALTH OF Viren, KE , " ee i, *, : CITY OF ROANOKE (OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY 315 CHURCH AVENUE ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24016 PRESS RELEASE December 8, 2023 com DONALD S, CALDWELL. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY [Anta Coo $40 Tat, No. 853-2626 This press release is issued to advise the public that I have completed my review of the shooting that occurred on Sunday, December 3, 2023 involving Mr. David McFall and RPD Officers L. Camper, R. Sloan, and D. Gilliam. While the investigation of this shooting by the Virginia State Police has not been finalized pending receipt of a formal autopsy report, toxicology report, medical records, ballistic comparisons and other forensic reports, these finalized reports are not necessary to make a decision in this case. The shooting was completely, clearly and contextually captured by the body camera videos of Officers Camper and Gilliam who were on duty and in uniform. Due to the nature of his assignment that day, Officer Sloan, who was also on duty, was in civilian clothes and not equipped with a body camera. The shooting resulted in the wounding of Officer Camper by David McFall and the death of Mr. McFall as a result of being shot by Officers Gilliam and Sloan. Based upon my review of these videos, I am of the opinion that Officers Gilliam and Sloan were justified in the use of deadly force under Virginia Law to defend the life of Officer Camper, their own lives and the lives and safety of other people in the immediate area. Factually, the RPD was conducting a homicide investigation focusing on the death of Douglas Wayne McFall whose body was found in his residence at 1611 Lawrence Ave. SE at approximately 10:45 a.m. that same Sunday morning. Based upon information received from neighbors, David McFall, the son of Douglas McFall, was identified as a possible suspect. Efforts to locate and talk to David McFall began immediately. At approximately 3:45 p.m., an individual matching the description of David McFall was observed walking on Melrose Avenue. As Officers Camper, Sloan andGilliam prepared to approach this individual (later positively identified'as David McFall) to confirm his identity, he walked off Melrose Avenue and onto the property of Melrose Towers. Officer Camper then approached him within a distance of 15 feet or less, and told him that she needed to speak with him. Without warning, Mr. McFall produced a Tanfoglio 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol (which had been purchased by his father, Douglas McFall on August 11, 2023) and fired multiple rounds at Officer Camper who was struck 3 to 4 times and immediately physically compromised by her wounds. After shooting Officer Camper, Mr. MeFall continued to shoot directly at Officer Gilliam as he moved up the sidewalk in the direction of the entryway of Melrose Towers. At this point, both Officers Gilliam and Sloan returned fire, striking Mr. McFall multiple times. Mr. MeFall died from his wounds at the scene As previously noted, this entire sequence of events was captured on video. ‘The shooting of Officer Camper was committed within 3 seconds and the entire event took right at 10 seconds. It occurred so quickly that Officer Camper did not have an opportunity to draw her weapon or take cover before she was struck. There is absolutely no question that Mr. McFall was trying to kill or maim the officers involved. ‘There is also absolutely no question that Mr. MeFall posed an immediate threat to others given his unprovoked and irrational behavior. As bad as the situation was, had Mr. McFall not been stopped, it could have been much worse. Officers Gilliam and Sloan did what the circumstances demanded and their actions were justified under the law. Please be advised that the death of Douglas Wayne McFall remains a homicide investigation being conducted by the RPD. At this time there is insufficient evidence to determine with a reasonable degree of certainty who committed the homicide and if more than one person was involved. Donald S. Caldwell ‘Commonwealth’ Attorney City of Roanoke