Fairfax County Police responded to a shoplifting incident at Tysons Corner Center. Officers pursued Timothy McCree Johnson, who was unarmed, into a wooded area. During the chase, Officer Wesley Shifflett fatally shot Johnson.
Shifflett testified that he believed Johnson was reaching for a weapon, but no weapon was found on Johnson. The incident prompted the release of body camera footage and led to Shifflett’s dismissal for violating use-of-force policies. A grand jury later indicted Shifflett for involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a firearm. In a subsequent trial, Shifflett was acquitted of manslaughter but found guilty of reckless handling of a firearm. He faces up to five years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing in February 2025
On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, resulting in at least 26 fatalities and over 10 injuries. Four gunmen, identified as militants from the group “Kashmir Resistance,” ambushed a group of tourists, primarily Indians, in a popular meadow. The assailants emerged from a forested area and opened fire indiscriminately, prompting emergency evacuations by helicopter .
This attack coincided with the state visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to India. Vance, who was in India to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in defense and energy sectors, expressed his condolences and condemned the attack as “devastating” and “horrific.” He emphasized the importance of U.S.-India cooperation to counter terrorism and regional instability .
The incident has heightened tensions in the region, which has experienced a prolonged insurgency since 1989. Indian authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt for the perpetrators, and political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, have vowed to bring those responsible to justice
The attack underscores the ongoing challenges in Kashmir, a region claimed by both India and Pakistan, and highlights the need for sustained efforts to address the underlying issues fueling violence and instability.
