A disturbing police body camera video shows a Virginia woman attacking a Fairfax County police officer with a knife moments before he shot and killed her.

Just after 10 a.m. on September 16, a 14-year veteran knocked on the door of 33-year-old Sydney Wilson’s apartment to conduct a welfare check in Reston.

When the officer identified himself, Wilson slammed the door, video shows. The officer knocked again, and two minutes later Wilson opened the door and attacked him with a knife.

Wilson allegedly punched the officer in the face several times before the officer drew his weapon and retreated down the hallway. The officer fired three times before radio shots were fired and he needed assistance.

Within minutes, a plainclothes officer arrived on the scene and began CPR.

Chief Kevin Davis said the unnamed officer did what he could to de-escalate the situation but was unable to retreat further down the hallway when he fired.

“It could have been much, much, much worse,” he said. “The cut, gash and laceration he suffered was located at the top of his forehead.”

During welfare checks like these, officers usually respond with a mental health co-responder, Davis said, but the one nearby was on a call.

Davis said he’s grateful for that, as the co-responder could also have been seriously injured.

“Doctors are absolutely exposing themselves to an element of danger every time they get out of a police car and go to a door or an accident scene or an outdoor scenario with a police officer, and there is an element of risk associated with that. ”

Davis said he’s not sure a co-responder could have made a difference in this case.

The officer continues to perform administrative duties as the investigation continues.

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