An investigation by the Alexandria Police Department found that off-duty officer Carl Stowe violated department policy when he stepped in front of a car and shot and killed 18-year-old Aaron Brown last February.
In a statement released Tuesday, the department said Stowe — who was working security in an International House of Pancakes restaurant on Duke Street the night of Feb. 25 — followed department policy in his use of lethal force in self-defense, but should not have positioned himself in front of the vehicle.
Brown was killed after he and friends allegedly left the restaurant without paying their check. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, Stowe stepped in front of the Jeep Cherokee in which Brown was riding and fired six shots in 1.5 seconds when the car did not stop.
“Alexandria Police Department policy in place at the time prohibited officers from placing themselves in the path of a moving vehicle in high-risk traffic stops,” the report says.
The Police Department said Stowe would receive “major disciplinary action.” Police spokesman James Bartlett said because Brown’s family is planning to file a lawsuit against the city, he could not comment on what the action entails, but said Stowe would not be removed from the force.
Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney S. Randolph Sengel recommended in June that Stowe not face criminal charges.
The investigation also prompted the department to change policies for handling similar situations. It now forbids officers to step in front of a vehicle except for traffic direction, and no longer allows shots to be fired at vehicles except in “extreme and exceptional circumstances.”
Alexandria police Chief David Baker offered condolences to Brown’s family.
“As chief, my responsibility is to ensure that with proper training, sound policies and awareness of this case, no other family will have to experience what the Brown family has suffered,” he said.
Through their lawyers, Brown’s family said they were vindicated by the results of the investigation.
“Aaron Brown would not have died if officer Stowe had followed his police department’s own rules,” they said. “Police officers, as trained professionals, are supposed to avoid creating lethal confrontations.”
