MCLEAN, Virginia (WUSA) — The suspect in a bank robbery who was shot to death by police during a chase Wednesday morning has been identified as Brook Hailu, 19, of McLean. He is the son of one of Ethiopia’s former top diplomats in the U.S.
Brook Hailu Beshah served as Ethiopia’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington from 2001-2004, and served as Acting Ambassador in 2004. After that he served as Permanent Deputy Delegate to UNSECO. Currently Beshah is a professor of Security Policy Studies at George Washington University.
Several grief-stricken relatives and community members went to the McLean townhouse where the former Ambassador’s son had been living on Thursday. None was willing to speak with reporters concerning the death of the young Hailu.
Wednesday morning’s armed robbery of a McLean bank led to the police vehicle and foot chase which in turn led to the fatal shooting of Hailu in a quiet North Arlington neighborhood.
Fairfax County Police say the BB&T branch in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center on Old Dominion Drive was held up by one armed suspect at 11:21 Wednesday morning. The suspect fled from the bank with a bag of money in a car. As he departed the first police unit responding to the bank spotted the car. A chase ensued on Old Dominion Drive.
At the corner of Old Dominion and Valley Wood Road, the suspect’s Honda struck a utility poll and he fled on foot carrying the money bag.
In North Arlington, near Williamsburg Middle School, several neighbors reported seeing a suspicious man running with a bag. Fairfax County officers intercepted him and began foot pursuit.
Police say the suspect “displayed” his gun at police. Several shots were fired just down the block from Williamsburg Middle School. Hailu was struck and killed.
Williamsburg Middle was placed on lockdown for more than an hour until the situation clarified.
Fairfax County Police will conduct the investigation of the bank hold up as well as an internal affairs investigation of the shooting to determine whether it complied with police department policy. Arlington County Police will conduct the criminal investigation of the Fairfax County police shooting to determine if any charges are warranted.
Written by Gary Reals
9NEWS NOW