Crime & Safety

Police Officer Shot Identified as Peter Laboy; in ICU After Surgery

Family man suffered gun shot to the head after stop involving man driving a taxi in Old Town led to police chase, crash in Belle Haven. He's in critical condition after surgery.

The Alexandria police officer who was shot Wednesday at 11:44 a.m. during a traffic stop in Old Town Alexandria was identified Wednesday evening as Peter Laboy, at an evening news conference by the Alexandria Police Department.

Officer Laboy, 45, of Alexandria, is a 17-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department, six years as a motorcycle officer. Laboy is described as married with children, a resident of the city of Alexandria and someone who volunteers in local schools.

Police say Laboy was shot in the head, among other unspecified injuries. He is recuperating in the Intensive Care Unit and in critical condition at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, after surgery late Wednesday afternoon and evening, Alexandria police told reporters at a press conference Wednesday night. 

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The driver of the cab has been identified as Kashif Bashir of Woodbridge and is in custody. Bashir is charged with malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He is being held without bond.

A motive has not yet been established. Bashir was driving a cab and led police on a high-speed police chase from Old Town to Belle Haven, where he crashed into a white Mercedes on Fort Hunt Road. The driver of the Mercedes reportedly was not seriously injured, according to Fairfax County Police.

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Police closed Fort Hunt Road in Belle Haven after the crash, which occurred at about 12:08 p.m., to investigate the scene. The road reopened at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Officials said the events leading up to the confrontation in Old Town are still under investigation. A weapon has been recovered from the scene of the shooting and the ballistics report is not yet complete.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Section of the Alexandria Police Department at (703) 746-6711. 

Read more:

Police Chase Cab Driver into Belle Haven

Police Chase: Local Residents Weigh in Via Social Media

VIDEO: Fairfax County Police Spokesperson Discusses Belle Haven Crash 


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