Photo by Robert LanierUpdated: Dec. 15, 2:15 p.m.
Manassas City Police have released a statement commenting on the suicide of MCPD Detective David Edward Abbott, Jr., who shot himself Tuesday morning after being accused of taking indecent liberties with a minor.
According to Manassas City Police spokesperson Adrienne Helms, The Manassas City Police fully cooperated with the Prince William Police investigation though they played no direct role in the investigation.
"Through their investigation, Prince William County Police obtained felony warrants for Indecent Liberties with a Minor (X2) and Use of a Communications Device to Solicit a Minor (X2) against Det. Abbott," Helms said. "Prince William County Police is still heavily involved in investigating the allegations to ensure justice and that victim assistance is made available for any potential victims and their families."
The Manassas City Police Department requested privacy for his family and peers.
This is a tragic and sad day for the Abbott family, the juvenile victims and their families, the Manassas City Police Department, and our community. In spite of these recent developments regarding the serious allegations against him, we are grateful for the contributions Det. Abbott made during his time with Manassas City Police, to include the prosecution and conviction of hundreds of criminals. His family and peers request privacy during this time as we grieve and struggle to accept the realities of such a loss.
Updated: Dec. 15, 1 p.m.
In the process of serving warrants to a Gainesville man at his Senea Drive home early Tuesday morning, the suspect brandished a firearm and shot himself. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives from the Special Victims Unit were attempting to serve David Edward Abbott Jr., 39, a Manassas City police detective who served on the Northern Virginia-Washington D.C. Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with warrants for two counts of indecent liberties by a custodian and two counts of use of a communications device to solicit sexual offenses.
"When detectives made contact with the accused at the home, he refused to surrender to law enforcement," police spokesperson Sgt. Jonathan Perok said. "The accused was believed to be armed and precautions were taken to evacuate neighboring residences."
According to police, while detectives were communicating with the accused, he pulled out a handgun and shot himself.
This incident resolves an ongoing investigation of Abbott, who was suspected of inappropriately communicating with a 13-year- old male juvenile.
"The investigation revealed that the accused was a coach for a local Prince William County hockey league where he had met the victim," Perok said. "Detectives learned that the inappropriate contact between the accused and the victim began in June of 2013 when the victim was 11-years-old."
Perok added that the contact consisted of soliciting sexual acts by phone, text, social media and email as well as face-to-face interactions.
"During the investigation, detectives learned of a second male victim who was also affiliated with the hockey league and had inappropriate communication with the accused, which began in June of 2008 when the victim was 13-year-old.
Following the investigation, detectives obtained warrants for Abbott's arrest and for a subsequent search of the home.
Original Story:
Prince William Police secured a section of the Wentworth Green community in Gainesville for an individual who barricaded himself in a residence on Senea Drive.
“The incident is resolved," police spokesman Sgt. Jonathan Perok said. "More details will be released later today."
The commotion prompted much speculation and concern on social media.
The police activity prompted Prince William County Schools to warn of bus delays to Gainesville Middle School; however, the school opened on time.
"School officials were notified and transportation routes were disrupted as a precaution only,"Perok said.
Several residents reported hearing a shot fired during the incident, but this was not confirmed by police.
Bristow Beat will provide more information as it becomes available.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!