A jury on Friday found an FBI agent not guilty in connection with the 2020 shooting of a Metro train passenger near Bethesda, Maryland.
Eduardo Valdivia was riding a Red Line train near the Centro Médico station on December 15, 2020, when a man allegedly approached him and asked for money.
Valdivia denied the request and a confrontation ensued. The man allegedly muttered expletives as he walked away from the officer.
Video of the incident was released Wednesday, showing Valdivia opening fire on the man at point-blank range. The man stumbles and sits in a seat across from Valdivia as another passenger leaves the area.
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A jury on Friday found an FBI agent not guilty in connection with the 2020 shooting of a Metro train passenger near Bethesda, Maryland.
(AP)
Valdivia and the man seemed to exchange words before the agent reached for his holster. As the two continue to talk, Valdivia pulls the gun on him and shoots the man.
The officer continued to point his firearm at the man, who stumbled and hunched over before taking a seat. Valdivia is still seen talking and gesturing towards the man. The other passenger stands up and appears to be making a phone call.
Valdivia then appears to speak to the third man and makes a hand signal for a phone as he speaks to him.
The officer continues to hold the gun as he appears to address the two men. The train finally stops and Valdivia heads for the exit, motioning for the man he shot to follow him. The shot man eventually follows Valdivia off the train, walking slowly and hunched over.
According to a 911 call posted in 2021, another passenger told the operator that the third man approached Valdivia, who warned him to back off.
Eduardo Valdivia was riding a Red Line train near the Centro Médico station on December 15, 2020, when a man allegedly approached him and asked for money.
(FOX 5)
The caller said the third man was ready to fight the agent. The caller said the agent told the man, “Step away, I’m an FBI agent. Back off,” and that the agent fired two or three rounds.
Valdivia was charged with attempted murder in 2021 and turned himself in after being charged. He was also facing charges of first degree assault, use of firearms/felony/violent, and reckless endangerment.
After his indictment, a Valdivia attorney, Robert Bonsib, suggested that the officer be given the benefit of the doubt given his law enforcement training and experience.
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Video of the incident was released Wednesday, showing Valdivia opening fire on the man at point-blank range.
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
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“I think it’s important to remember that this is an agent who is used to working in dangerous and covert capacities. He can see body language as it changes. He can sense danger as it approaches. He can sense danger as it approaches. about”. Bonsib said in a statement in 2021.
Friday’s verdict found Valdivia not guilty on all counts.
