Youngkin Grants Clemency to Fired Police Sergeant Convicted After Fatally Shooting Unarmed Man

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, has granted clemency to Wesley Shifflett, a former police sergeant convicted for recklessly handling a firearm in the February 2023 shooting of Timothy McCree Johnson, an unarmed man accused of shoplifting sunglasses. The clemency, issued just days after Shifflett was sentenced to three years in prison, has sparked a heated debate over justice, race, and executive intervention.

Shifflett, 36, was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in Johnson's death but was found guilty of a lesser charge. Despite the felony conviction remaining on his record, Youngkin's clemency allows Shifflett to walk free. "I am convinced that the court's sentence of incarceration is unjust and violates the cornerstone of our justice system—that similarly situated individuals receive proportionate sentences," Youngkin said in a statement. He also pointed to the jury's decision to acquit Shifflett of the more serious charge, for which sentencing guidelines recommend little to no jail time.

The case stems from a foot chase outside Tysons Corner Center, where Shifflett and another officer pursued Johnson after reports of shoplifting. The chase ended in a wooded area, where Shifflett shot Johnson twice, claiming he believed Johnson was reaching into his waistband. Body camera footage, however, captured Johnson saying, "I’m not reaching for nothing. I don’t have nothing," moments before he was shot.

Johnson’s mother, Melissa Johnson, expressed outrage at Youngkin's decision, saying, "It feels like this validates the killing of my son." She questioned the governor's interference in the case, raising concerns about racial bias and the broader implications for justice. Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano, whose office prosecuted the case, echoed her sentiments, accusing Youngkin of "sticking his face where it didn’t belong" and siding with a White officer in a case involving the death of a Black man.

On the other side of the debate, Shifflett’s supporters, including Melissa Robey of the police advocacy group We Back Blue, praised the clemency as a stand for law enforcement officers. "These guys put that uniform on every single day—they're there for your worst day. When is it time to stand up for them?" Robey stated. According to her, Shifflett’s mother reached out weeks ahead of the sentencing, prompting efforts to lobby the governor for clemency.

Youngkin’s decision has further polarized an already contentious case, with critics accusing him of undermining the judicial process and supporters lauding his commitment to fairness for law enforcement. Regardless of perspective, the clemency has reignited conversations about race, justice, and the role of politics in criminal cases. The governor, however, emphasized that his decision does not limit Shifflett’s right to appeal his conviction, leaving the door open for further legal battles.