Alexander Roy: The U.S. Park Police officer who accidentally shot and killed his fellow officer

A tragic incident occurred on Sunday, November 5, 2023, when an off-duty U.S. Park Police officer accidentally shot and killed another officer in a McLean, Virginia, apartment. The shooter, identified as Alexander Roy, 25, was charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of his colleague, Jesse Brown Hernandez, 22. Here is everything you need to know about the case, the officers involved, and the possible consequences.

What happened on Sunday?

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Roy and Hernandez were among four people who were in an apartment on the 1500 block of Lincoln Way around 12:20 a.m. on Sunday. Three of them were off-duty U.S. Park Police officers, while the fourth person was a civilian friend. The group had been drinking alcohol and playing with a firearm that Roy believed to be unloaded.

He was allegedly “dry firing” the weapon, which means pulling the trigger without a bullet in the chamber, as a way of simulating the discharge of a firearm. However, at some point, Alexander Roy unintentionally shot the firearm, fatally striking Hernandez in the upper body. The other two officers and the civilian friend immediately called 911 and tried to perform CPR on Hernandez, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Who is Alexander Roy?

Alexander Roy is a U.S. Park Police officer who joined the agency in 2021. He graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia and was assigned to the George Washington Memorial Parkway District.

He is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter, which is defined as “the killing of another person through gross negligence or recklessness”. According to his attorney, Roy is “devastated” by the incident and “deeply regrets” his actions. He also said that Roy and Hernandez were “close friends” and that the shooting was a “terrible accident”.

Who is Jesse Brown Hernandez?

Jesse Brown Hernandez was also a U.S. Park Police officer who joined the agency in 2021. He graduated from the same training center as Roy and was assigned to the National Mall District.

He was originally from San Antonio, Texas, and had served in the U.S. Army before becoming a police officer. He was described by his colleagues and family as a “kind, caring, and dedicated” person who loved his job and his country. He was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing basketball and soccer. He is survived by his parents, his brother, his sister, and his girlfriend.

What is the U.S. Park Police?

The U.S. Park Police is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the country, dating back to 1791. It is part of the National Park Service and is responsible for protecting the parks, monuments, and memorials in the Washington, D.C., area, as well as in New York City and San Francisco.

It also provides security for the president and other dignitaries when they visit these sites. The U.S. Park Police has about 600 officers and 150 civilian employees. It has faced several controversies and challenges in recent years, such as budget cuts, staffing shortages, misconduct allegations, and civil rights lawsuits.

What is the reaction to the shooting?

The shooting has shocked and saddened the U.S. Park Police and the law enforcement community. The agency issued a statement saying that it is “aware of the incident involving off-duty United States Park Police employees at a private residence in Fairfax County” and that it is “supporting the family, friends, and coworkers of our employees involved in this tragic incident”.

The Fairfax County Police Department is conducting the investigation and has asked anyone with information to contact them. The U.S. Park Police also said that it will conduct an internal review of the incident and cooperate with the Fairfax County authorities. The shooting has also raised questions about the safety and accountability of officers who handle firearms off-duty.

Some experts have suggested that officers should be required to lock up their guns when they are not on duty, or that they should undergo more training and education on firearm safety and responsibility. Others have argued that officers should have the right to carry their guns at all times, as long as they follow the law and the policies of their agencies.

Conclusion

The fatal shooting of Jesse Brown Hernandez by Alexander Roy is a tragic and unfortunate event that has left two families and a law enforcement agency in grief and pain. It is also a reminder of the dangers and risks that officers face, both on and off duty, and the need for more awareness and prevention of such incidents. As the investigation and the legal process continue, we hope that justice will be served and that the memory of Hernandez will be honored.