CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Two Charlottesville Police officers who were involved in a shootout with a fugitive near Market St. Park on June 20 have been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by the Virginia State Police, but remain on administrative leave as CPD reviews the incident, Chief Michael Kochis said Thursday.

Kochis said the leave is standard procedure in cases involving use of deadly force. He said the department requested the VSP do the initial, criminal investigation into the matter to ensure impartiality. Now, CPD will review that the officers – identified with their initials, B.L. and M.D, in a release from the department – followed proper procedures. The pair will also undergo a wellness review before they can return to active duty.

“The criminal investigation has concluded. Both officers have been cleared criminally,” Kochis said. “From a process standpoint, what happens now is we have an administrative investigation that has to be conducted. What that investigation will do is make sure all our policies were followed, training was followed and that all our policies from use of force standpoint were followed, as well. That is part of our process. And then, before they return to work, they’ll also go through a wellness review. There is still some pieces that need to happen and things that need to happen, but this is thorough for a reason.”

Wednesday, CPD announced that the suspect, Daquan Hoffman, who fired at the two officers during a foot chase, has been charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder.

“I think Mr. Hoffman really does have to turn himself in to any law enforcement,” Kochis said. “That would be the best bet.”

Hoffman, 30, is also being sought by the Albemarle County Police Department on a malicious wounding charge stemming from an April shooting.

“Mr. Hoffman is wanted on serious felony charges, and our priority is locating him and protecting our community,” said Michael Talbert, Captain of ACPD’s Criminal Investigations Division. “We know someone may have information that could help us locate our suspect, and we urge anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to come forward so we can bring this case to a resolution.”