According to Fairfax County Police, Vaughn’s warrants stem from previous charges of possession of a firearm while in possession of certain substances and selling a schedule I/II drug that occurred on March 18, 2021. When Vaughn violated his probation, a warrant was issued on Sept. 2, 2021. A second warrant was issued on Sept. 22, 2021 when Vaughn failed to appear in court on the original charges.
The police offered a detailed report of the events:
In the morning of Tuesday, Feb 15, Vaughn was in his vehicle in the 8300 block of Fitt Court in Lorton when officers arrived to investigate after being called by nearby residents about a car parked on the street with a North Carolina license plate. The first officer arrived at 8:12 a.m. and found a red 2008 Kia Sedona with tinted windows and curtains inside separating the driver and passenger compartments. The officer attempted to look inside the van, but the view was obstructed. The officer then began knocking on the windows but did not receive any indication someone was inside, police said.
A second officer arrived as back up, they determined the North Carolina license plate on the van was reported stolen. Due to the stolen license plate, officers requested a tow truck for the van. As officers began the procedure for it to be towed, they found a Virginia license plate in the rear cargo area. The Virginia license plate matched the VIN of the van. Officers then contacted the owner of the van to determine who might have been driving it.
As officers spoke to the owner of the van on the phone, the tow truck driver arrived and opened the driver’s door. An officer pushed a button inside the van, which opened both rear sliding doors. As the doors opened, the officer observed Michael Vaughn holding a carbine-style rifle and emerging from the rear driver-side door. The officer and the tow truck driver quickly took cover. Vaughn was given several commands, but he refused to comply. One officer discharged their firearm, striking Vaughn twice in the upper body. Officers immediately rendered aid until fire and rescue personnel arrived. Vaughn was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were later determined not to be life threatening. One officer was taken to the hospital for injuries that were not considered life threatening. He remains hospitalized, police said.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident and will determine if additional charges will be placed.
The officer involved in the incident has been identified as a 2-year veteran who is assigned to the Franconia Police District Station. Per department policy, the officer has been placed on a restricted duty pending the outcome of an administrative investigation by our Internal Affairs Bureau. An independent review will also be conducted by the Police Auditor.
The name of the officer will be released within 10 days, unless there is a credible threat to the safety of those involved or if additional time is required to thoroughly complete the risk assessment process.