The Maryland Attorney General’s Office released body camera video showing the moment Howard County police shot and killed an armed man during a mental health call.
The shooting on March 1 was killed Alexander LaMorie, 25 years oldAn autistic man who had called for a wellness check, officials said.
The officers involved were identified as 2-year veteran Officer Joel Rodriguez, six-year veteran Officer Cody Bostic and 10-year veteran PFC Joseph Riebau, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigation Division is investigating the shooting.
WJZ has reached out to the Howard County Police Officers Association for a statement.
The police shot fatally
shooting took place in Patuxent Commons in Columbiaapartment complex that includes units for the elderly and people with disabilities.
As officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to LaMorie, who threatened to harm himself. A first responder was heard on the dispatch audio saying, “We are talking to the caller on the phone. He started making suicidal statements.”
When police arrived at the apartment complex, they were seen on body camera video heading to LaMorie’s unit, where they failed to find him. Two officers then began searching the building before receiving a report over the radio that a suspect was coming at officers with a knife, the video shows.
The officers encountered LaMorie outside, armed with a knife. In the video, they are heard giving LaMorie several commands to drop the knife. However, LaMorie continued to walk toward the officer with the knife, the video shows.
In the video, LaMorie is heard saying, “I don’t care. I don’t want to live anymore, I want to be free from my pain, man.”
An officer responds, saying, “It’s going to get better, man. I told you it could get better.”
As LaMorie continued to walk toward the officers, some say they were cornered when their backs were against the wall.
The officer then fired several shots, hitting LaMorie and causing him to fall to the ground. They continued to order LaMorie to drop the knife as they began administering first aid.
A knife was found near LaMorie’s body, according to the Attorney General’s office.
The LaMorie family is calling for answers
LaMorie’s family called his death “senseless and senseless,” and said in a statement that they are struggling to understand the circumstances surrounding his death.
“Alex was a kind, loving, and spirited person, and a bright light in the community,” his family said. “While Alex faced challenges related to his autism, he was able to function with it in his daily life and refused to be hampered by it.”
The family said LaMorie previously shared her experiences dealing with grief and autism in online videos with the help of her mother, a writer and a grief counselor.
LaMorie was one of the first people chosen to live at Patuxent Commons, and her family said, “She is excited to be a part of the Patuxent Commons Community, which is full of care and support for people with autism.”
LaMorie’s family also described him as an advocate for others with autism, and said he gave presentations and appeared on panels to help others experiencing grief and loss.
Howard County leaders are pushing for change
After the shooting, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and County Police Chief Gregory Der vowed to improve police response and said training is a priority.
Ball said almost 80% of police officers in the county are certified with special intervention training, which focuses on individuals with autism and other disabilities. County executives say the county has received more than 5,000 mental health calls in the past five years, where a person has threatened to harm themselves.
“Moving forward, here in Howard County, we will forge even closer partnerships among law enforcement, disability advocates, mental health professionals, and members of our neurodivergent community to identify meaningful ways to learn and grow,” said Ball.
Ball also said the county is looking to expand its police resources to add more non-lethal options, including “additional tasers so our officers have more alternatives when faced with dangerous and unpredictable situations.”
Anyone needing emotional support is encouraged to call Suicide and Lifeline Crisis by dialing 988.
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