Falls Church Standoff Suspect Arraigned, Held Without Bond

James Rackowski showed up in City of Falls Church District Court Wednesday morning for arraignment for his role in during a June standoff.

Judge Richard McCue set a court date for Aug. 23 in Arlington County Circuit Court for Rackowski. Rackowski of unlawfully discharging a firearm within a building. (Falls Church City and Arlington County each have their own district courts; however, there is only one Circuit Court for the two municipalities, and it is located in Arlington.) 

Rackowski arrived in court wearing a green jumpsuit and shackles and only spoke once when McCue asked him if he understood he was waiving his preliminary hearing. Rackowski is being held at the Arlington County Adult Detention Center without bond.

Officers from several agencies, including the City of Falls Church, staked out the area, waiting 28 hours while Rackowski refused to come out of his family’s home June 25-26. Rackowski fired several shots inside the home, sparking the lengthy standoff. Police were finally able to get the gasoline-soaked Rackowski out of the home after using a Taser on him. He was taken to an area hospital that evening with non-life-threatening injuries.

Related Content: