David Edward Abbott Jr., a 39-year-old police officer from Virginia, killed himself as officers were trying to arrest him after learning that he had inappropriate relationships with two young boys. Mr. Abbott, who was a youth hockey coach, committed suicide at his home.
David Edward Abbott Jr., a Virginia police officer, took his own life as his colleagues were attempting to apprehend him. The disgraced officer was being arrested after the authorities learned that he had a very inappropriate relationship with two boys. Believe it or not, Abbott served on the Northern Virginia-Washington, D.C., Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
On Tuesday, several Prince William County detectives arrived at Abbott’s home where he refused to surrender. According to the police report, they tried numerous times to talk with Abbott, but he declined and at some point he pulled out a gun and shot himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
For over a year now, Abbott had been under investigation for soliciting sexual acts via phone, text, social media and email from a young boy. The relationship began in June 2013 when the victim was 11 years old. Abbott met the teen through a Prince William County hockey league where he was a coach. Police discovered messages from Abbot asking the teen to send pictures of his private parts.
During the investigation police also found that in 2008, Abbott started sexting a second male youth also part of the hockey team. It is reported that the alleged second victim was 13, and has decided to come forward. Connor Donelan, a neighbor, who witnessed the incident, said:
“There were cops up and down the street from here and back. It was closed off and just a really big police presence.”
Prince William County Police Department released the following statement on the matter:
This is a tragic and sad day for the Abbott family, the juvenile victims and their families, the Manassas City Police Department, and our community. In spite of these recent developments regarding the serious allegations against him, we are grateful for the contributions Det. Abbott made during his time with Manassas City Police, to include the prosecution and conviction of hundreds of criminals. His family and peers request privacy during this time as we grieve and struggle to accept the realities of such a loss.
Abbott was a Manassas City police detective who served on the Northern Virginia-Washington D.C. Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. He faced two counts of indecent liberties by a custodian and two counts of use of a communications device to solicit sexual offenses.
What are your thoughts on David Edward Abbott’s allegations?
