Social media users continue to be morbidly fascinated by the story of Michael Rusk, the Virginia cop who shot his commanding officer in what he claimed was self-defense.
After a night out at a bar in late January, Rusk and his commanding officer, Sgt. Christopher Gibson, were arguing in a parking lot in Williamsburg, Virginia, when the shooting took place. Rusk was arrested on one count of aggravated malicious wounding and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Although few details have been released regarding the shooting and the argument that led to it, Rusk’s father, Jason, told the Virginia Gazette that it was done in “absolute self-defense,” and the 911 call paints a picture of an incredibly distressed Rusk crying, “I shot Sargeant Gibson!,” and explaining that he fired the gun after Gibson began advancing on him.
Jason Rusk also shared with the media that his son had been dealing with a “year’s worth of grooming” from Gibson, and that Rusk was the victim of unwanted sexual advances from Gibson, including inappropriate touching and stalking. Video footage of the two from the bar the night of the shooting shows Gibson attempting to reach for Rusk’s hand and putting his hand on Rusk’s shoulder, only for Rusk to reject his advances both times.
In the most horrifying part of the 911 call, Rusk cries to the dispatcher, “I told him to stop. I thought he was going to rape me,” while pleading for help.
Following the incident, Rusk was placed on unpaid administrative leave and Gibson on paid administrative leave. An internal affairs investigation is ongoing, and a trial date has not yet been set for Rusk.
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