Stafford County sheriff’s officials yesterday again declined to discuss allegations that one of their deputies acted improperly when he shot and killed a county resident late Sunday.
David C. Gandy, 48, was killed at his home on Myrtle Road in southern Stafford by one of the four deputies who responded to a call for assistance. Police have not named the deputy.
Sheriff’s Maj. David Decatur said yesterday that rather than answer allegations, his office would not comment further on the incident until the investigation is completed.
He said he anticipates that will take at least another couple of days.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting, along with the commonwealth’s attorney’s and state medical examiner’s offices.
Decatur said it is standard operating procedure for the Stafford department to investigate its own shootings rather than ask an outside agency.
Police went to the Gandy resident after receiving a call from Gandy’s son at 10:54 p.m.
According to an affidavit for a search warrant filed yesterday in Stafford Circuit Court, the son told a dispatcher that his father was upset about an argument that took place about two hours earlier and was threatening to shoot himself. Gandy had been drinking.
In a news release, police said deputies tried to incapacitate Gandy with Tasers, but were unsuccessful.
Police said he ignored orders to drop the handgun he was holding and was shot when he began raising the gun while looking in the direction of the deputies.
Gandy’s family and a neighbor who witnessed the incident strongly disputed the police account. They said police said nothing before opening fire.
The neighbor, Jordan von Schwanitz, said Gandy never made a threatening gesture with the gun and was heading into his home when he was shot from behind.
According to court records, police seized a number of items from the scene a couple of hours after the shooting, including some items that were left behind by the deputies.
The seized items included a .223-caliber assault rifle, a 9mm handgun, three .223 shell casings, three bullet fragments, a Taser cartridge and a Coors Light beer can.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
kepps@freelancestar.com