Man Shot By Undercover Cop In Seven Corners Drug Investigation

SEVEN CORNERS, VA — A man was shot Tuesday night during an attempted drug-related arrest Wednesday night in the Seven Corners area, according to Fairfax County Police.

Police Chief Kevin Davis said the shooting originated from undercover narcotics detectives investigating alleged distribution of narcotics. Police say Jeffrey Payne, 41, of Falls Church arrived at the Seven Corners Shopping Center to facilitate the sale of narcotics with a passenger in the vehicle.

According to Davis, detectives attempted to arrest the suspects, who were in a vehicle, but the driver allegedly drove off at a high rate of speed and went over several curbs.

"The undercover narcotic investigation was taking place at a nearby location and ultimately ended here," Davis said in a Tuesday night briefing at the scene. "The suspect, and he had a front seat passenger in his car, was driving recklessly, trying to get away, trying to evade arrests, and that's when our police officers stopped him."

As police blocked the car in the 6100 block of Arlington Boulevard, detectives gave several commands to the two people in the vehicle to show their hands. Police claim Payne "made furtive movements" behind the wheel of the vehicle, and one of the detectives discharged his gun. Payne was hit in the upper body and was taken to the hospital. His injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening.

After his release from the hospital, Payne was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with possession with intent to distribute a schedule I/II drug. The passenger in the vehicle, Maurice Minor, 29, of Alexandria, was also charged with possession with intent to distribute a schedule I/II drug.

The officer who fired the gun is on restricted duty, which is routine with officer-involved shootings. The officer is an 11-year veteran in the police department's Street Crimes Unit. Administrative and criminal investigations will be conducted along with an independent review by the police auditor.