“Under no circumstances should suspicion of shoplifting alone lead to the tragic loss of human life.”

In the land of the free, the consequences for stealing sunglasses now apparently include death, as demonstrated by the horrifying incident in Northern Virginia where a police officer fatally shot Timothy McCree Johnson, a man accused of stealing two pairs of sunglasses from a shopping mall. The chilling body camera footage, released by the Fairfax County Police, reveals the disturbing reality of modern policing in America.

Police Chief Kevin Davis announced the termination of Sgt. Wesley Shifflett, the officer who fired the fatal round into Johnson’s chest, stating that Shifflett’s actions failed to adhere to the agency’s use of force policies… an understatement at best. While Shifflett’s attorney argues that his client will be exonerated on appeal, it’s hard to ignore the fact that no weapon was ever recovered from the scene, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the officer’s decision to use lethal force.

The video documents a brief, frantic nighttime chase through a mall, parking garage, and into a wooded area. In the crucial moments before the fatal shots, it is difficult to discern any clear details of Johnson’s actions. Despite Shifflett’s claims that he ordered Johnson to show his hands, the video does not capture any such command.

While some may argue that Johnson failed to comply with police commands, the critical question remains: Does a mere suspicion of shoplifting warrant such a violent and deadly response from law enforcement?

The disturbing trend of excessive force and fatal encounters with unarmed suspects demonstrates a systemic issue within American policing. The state-sanctioned killing of a man over stolen sunglasses is a stark reminder of how far the United States has strayed from the principles of justice and due process.

“Under no circumstances should suspicion of shoplifting alone lead to the tragic loss of human life,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said, calling the video “disturbing to say the least.”

We agree.

Fairfax County Police Chief Davis admitted that the body camera footage does not speak for itself in this case, leaving many unanswered questions about the officer’s conduct. As the investigation continues, the family of Timothy McCree Johnson seeks justice, with their attorney referring to the incident as an “execution by a Fairfax County police officer.”

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident in a country where law enforcement too often resorts to deadly force, even in cases where suspects pose no apparent threat. The tragic death of Timothy McCree Johnson serves as a harrowing reminder of the urgent need for a reevaluation of the role law enforcement plays in society.

The shocking video footage below should serve as a wake-up call to Americans everywhere: We must demand accountability and change from those who have taken a monopolistic role in providing ostensible protection and security in our communities. Until that day comes, the sad reality is that stealing sunglasses can be a death sentence in the United States.

Article posted with permission from Matt Agorist