The National Iranian American Council issued the following statement following the passing of Bijan Ghaisar, a 25-year-old Iranian American from Northern Virginia who was shot three times in the head by U.S. Park Police after Mr. Ghaisar is alleged to have engaged in a hit-and-run accident and short chase with police:

“We are deeply saddened and concerned by the shooting death of Bijan Ghaisar, an Iranian-American from Northern Virginia, at the hands of U.S. Park Police. We extend our deepest condolences to the Ghaisar family as well as Bijan’s friends as they cope with this tragedy.

“Based on reporting, it appears that Ghaisar was unarmed and in his car when he was shot three times in the head, which strongly suggests that the police’s shooting was not justified or proportionate. We hope that the FBI, which has taken over the investigation of the incident, will provide a full and fair accounting that takes all angles into account.”