Deputy who shot hospital patient cleared in criminal probe

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - A deputy who fatally shot a hospital patient wielding a metal sign post earlier this year has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing.

Fairfax County Police said Friday that Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh has found no basis to bring criminal charges against the deputy who shot and killed Jovany Martinez outside Inova Fairfax Hospital in August.

Police say Martinez had already injured one person and was having a psychiatric episode when he charged at Patrick McPartlin, an 18-year veteran of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office. Police have said McPartlin tried to talk the man down but fired multiple shots when Martinez continued to advance at him.

While McPartlin won’t face criminal charges, the sheriff’s office still plans to conduct its own internal investigation.