COMMUNITY ALERT
NOVEMBER 28, 2017
Unarmed Iranian American Killed by Virginia Park Police
Bijan Ghaisar, Family Photo (From The Washington Post)
Alexandria, Virginia - Bijan, Ghaisar, 25, of McLean, Virginia, was shot by US Park Police on November 17th following a short chase into Fairfax County, according to The Washington Post. Bijan died Monday night in the same hospital where he was born, according to a family statement.
IAAB is deeply saddened by the death of Bijan Ghaisar. “Bijan was an upstanding citizen in his community,” his family wrote. “He was loved by all — a kind and gentle soul." We mourn Bijan's loss alongside his local Iranian-American community, many of whom know the Ghaisar family from the local Persian heritage language school.
Bijan was shot three times in the head at close range while in his car. According to his family, Bijan was unarmed: “The reason for the murder of our son has yet to be determined, though no reasoning could possibly justify the actions of the one or more Park Police officers involved in this unthinkable act.”
We strongly condemn the course of action that resulted in Bijan's death. We urge authorities to conduct a thorough investigation in order to shed light on the circumstances of Bijan's killing -- and ultimately to offer his family clarity and justice. According to The Washington Post, at least one person witnessed the shooting and two Fairfax County officers captured it on video. The FBI is conducting an investigation.
Bijan was a graduate of Langley High School and Virginia Commonwealth University. A second-generation Iranian American, Bijan was born and raised in Virginia.
IAAB offers its heartfelt condolences to the Ghaisar family, and to Bijan's friends and community during this difficult time.
Rest in power, Bijan joon. #WeAreBijan
The full family statement to The Washington Post is below:
"On Friday, November 17th, our son, Bijan Ghaisar, was shot in the head three times in his car by the United States Park Police in Alexandria, Virginia. The reason for the murder of our son has yet to be determined, though no reasoning could possibly justify the actions of the one or more Park Police officers involved in this unthinkable act.
Bijan, a first-generation, American-born citizen of Iranian heritage, was peaceful and avidly anti-violence. He was unarmed. He presented no threat to anyone.
After being shot three times in the head in his car, he was declared with irreversible brain damage. On the evening of Monday, November 27th, our beloved son passed, in the same hospital in which he was born 25 short years ago.
Bijan was a 2010 graduate of Langley High School in McLean, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015 with a B.S. in accounting. He was employed as an accountant.
Bijan was an upstanding citizen in his community. He was loved by all -- a kind and gentle soul.
We understand that the FBI is conducting an investigation into the actions of the Park Police officers involved in the shooting death of Bijan. We trust that the investigation will uncover what happened and permit justice for our son."
Contact: communityaction@iranianalliances.org.