A body-camera video showing a fatal police shooting in Strasburg, Virginia, is circulating online again, drawing attention to a confrontation in which a woman took an officer’s baton and struck him before the officer opened fire.
The incident was NOT recent.
It happened on December 17, 2023, at a Ramada hotel on Signal Knob Drive in Strasburg, Virginia.
The woman, identified by authorities as 40-year-old Melissa R. Tompkins, later died from her injuries.
WATCH THE VIDEO
WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT?
According to Virginia State Police, officers were called to a hotel in Strasburg at approximately 11 p.m. after receiving a report of an individual acting erratically, damaging property and threatening people inside the hotel.
A Strasburg police officer responded and encountered Tompkins in the rear parking lot.
An altercation then developed between the woman and the officer.
Virginia State Police said Tompkins attacked the officer, gained control of his ASP baton and used the baton to strike him in the head.
The officer then discharged his firearm, striking Tompkins.
She was transported to Winchester Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.
The officer was also taken to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for treatment and was later released.
No other law-enforcement officers or members of the public were reported injured.
WHAT DID THE BODY CAMERA SHOW?
The case received renewed attention after the Strasburg Police Department released video footage from the incident.
The material included body-worn camera footage as well as security footage from the hotel.
According to reporting on the released footage, the officer initially attempted to stop Tompkins using less-lethal options.
The officer deployed his Taser twice, but the attempts did not stop the confrontation.
Tompkins then gained control of the officer’s baton and struck him in the head.
The footage became an important part of the later investigation into whether the officer’s use of deadly force was justified.
THE OFFICER WAS ALSO INJURED
The confrontation was not without injury to the officer.
Reports said he suffered injuries during the struggle, including injuries to his head and face.
He was transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for treatment and was later released.
The initial Virginia State Police account described his injuries as minor, while later reporting on the released footage described more significant facial injuries.
WHO WAS THE WOMAN?
Authorities identified the woman as Melissa R. Tompkins, 40.
At the time of the incident, she had no fixed address, according to authorities and subsequent reporting.
Her death occurred after she was transported to Winchester Medical Center following the shooting.
Her death was investigated as part of the officer-involved shooting investigation.
VIRGINIA STATE POLICE INVESTIGATED THE SHOOTING
Because the shooting involved a local police officer, the Strasburg Police Department requested an investigation by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Investigators reviewed evidence from the incident, including available video footage.
The case was then reviewed by a special prosecutor.
WHAT DID THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR DECIDE?
The investigation did not result in criminal charges against the officer.
According to WHSV, Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney Elizabeth Cooper appointed Bryan Porter, a special prosecutor, to review the case.
Porter reviewed the evidence and concluded that Officer George Rathore acted in justifiable self-defense.
The prosecutor declined to bring criminal charges.
The Strasburg Police Department also completed its internal review.
The department said Rathore returned to full duty after the investigations were completed.
WHY IS THE VIDEO CIRCULATING AGAIN?
The Facebook post shown in the screenshot was published recently, but the incident itself dates back to 2023.
That distinction is important.
Older police body-camera footage is frequently reposted on social-media pages without the original date being prominently displayed.
As a result, viewers can easily believe that an older incident happened recently.
In this case, the underlying shooting occurred on December 17, 2023.
THE INVESTIGATION FOUND NO CRIMINAL CHARGES
The special prosecutor’s conclusion is an important part of the story.
The review concluded that Rathore’s use of deadly force was justified under Virginia law, and he was not criminally charged.
That does not mean every viewer must agree with the use of force.
It means that the official criminal review did not find grounds to prosecute the officer.
The released body-camera and surveillance footage was part of the evidence reviewed in reaching that conclusion.
WHAT WE CAN CONFIRM
The available reporting establishes several key facts:
• The incident happened in Strasburg, Virginia.
• The shooting occurred on December 17, 2023.
• The incident began with a disturbance call at a hotel.
• The woman was identified as Melissa R. Tompkins.
• Police said she attacked an officer during the confrontation.
• Police said she gained control of the officer’s ASP baton and struck him with it.
• The officer fired his firearm and struck Tompkins.
• Tompkins later died from her injuries.
• The officer was treated for injuries and released.
• Virginia State Police investigated the shooting.
• Body-camera and hotel surveillance footage were reviewed.
• A special prosecutor concluded that the officer acted in justifiable self-defense.
• No criminal charges were filed against the officer.
• The officer later returned to full duty.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The viral post is based on a real and documented incident, but it is important to understand that the event is from 2023, not a new shooting.
The confrontation escalated after police responded to a hotel disturbance. Authorities said the woman took the officer’s baton and struck him, after which the officer fired his weapon.
The incident was investigated by Virginia State Police and later reviewed by a special prosecutor, who concluded that the officer acted in justifiable self-defense and declined to bring criminal charges.
The body-camera footage provides a much fuller view of the encounter than the short clips commonly reposted on social media.
Because the footage involves a fatal shooting, viewers should also be aware that some versions may contain graphic material.
