Knife-wielding woman cuts Virginia police officer before being shot, body camera shows

Newly released body camera footage shows a Virginia police officer fatally shooting a knife-wielding woman who had slashed the officer during a wellness check last month.

Fairfax County police released the images after outcry over the death of the woman, 33-year-old Sydney Wilson. The footage shows crisis intervention officer Peter Liu approaching Wilson’s apartment after his doctor raised concerns about his mental health.

Liu knocks on the door and Wilson answers first before quickly closing the door. The officer then continued to knock on the door for almost 10 minutes.

The footage shows Wilson suddenly opening the door and immediately striking Liu with a knife. The officer quickly backed into the hallway, drew his firearm and ordered Wilson to retreat.

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Sydney Wilson, 33, opened her door and punched Officer Peter Liu. (Fairfax County Police)

Wilson can be seen chasing Liu with the knife raised as Liu continues to back further down a dead-end hallway. He repeatedly gave Wilson verbal commands to “stand back,” and she briefly stops when he raises his firearm, then continues walking toward him.

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Liu retreats until his back is pressed against another apartment door, issuing commands to “step back please,” all the while. Wilson continues to approach him with the knife raised and then strikes him again.

Sydney Wilson punches Officer Peter Liu after chasing him out of his apartment and down a dead-end hallway. (Fairfax County Police)

Liu fires his gun as Wilson continues to attack him with the knife. He passes her in the open hallway, but Wilson grabs him and continues to attack him with the knife, and Liu fires more bullets.

The officer then retreats down a longer hallway as Wilson collapses.

Footage from two officers who responded moments after the incident showed Liu’s face covered in blood where Wilson had punched him in the forehead. One of the officers attempted to resuscitate Wilson, but was unsuccessful.

“Our officer acted valiantly. He certainly showed some grace under pressure,” Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a news conference Monday.

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Davis nevertheless confirmed that Liu was on administrative leave pending a criminal and internal investigation.