Ex-Fairfax Co. officer indicted in John Geer shooting case

FAIRFAX, Va. -- A grand jury has indicted a former Fairfax County police officer in the 2013 shooting death of an unarmed man in the doorway of his home in Springfield.

It is the first time in the history of Fairfax County police that an officer will face criminal charges in connection with a shooting.

Adam Torres is charged with second-degree murder in the 2013 fatal shooting of 46-year-old John Geer.

The investigation has dragged on for almost two years, and earlier this month, Torres was fired from the force.

After the grand jury's indictment came down on Monday, Torres turned himself into detectives and is being held without bond.

Two years ago on August 29, officers were called to Geer's Springfield home for a domestic situation. Police say they were told Geer was armed with multiple firearms inside the home.

Officers were negotiating with Geer as he stood in the doorway of his home with his hands up. When he began to lower his hands, Officer Torres shot Geer who was unarmed at the time.

Police and county officials spoke about the recent developments in this case Monday night.

"I did terminate Mr. Torres' employment on July 31, 2015 for violation of our use of force general order, which is an administrative policy," said Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler. "I ruled that the use of force in this event was not reasonably necessary."

"I think all of us, the community and the Board of Supervisors, has been frustrated with how long and how complicated the process has become and that's not okay," said Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova. "Frankly, we have learned a lot from what has been a very negative experience."

The police department has established a web portal where the public can go to look at details of any police-involved incident to some degree.

Chairman Bulova said the Geer case has made the county rethink how it communicates with the public about crime in the area.

Earlier this year, the county settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the Geer family agreeing to pay $2.95 million to the family.

We reached out to the family's attorney for comment about the indictment of Torres, but have not heard back.