Man with autism shot and killed by Howard County police after calling for help
Maryland AG releases body cam footage of the March 1 fatal shooting of 25-year-old Alexander LaMorie, who had autism and called for a wellness check.
Body camera footage shows fatal Howard County police shooting of autistic man
Maryland's Attorney General's Office released body camera video Monday showing the moment Howard County officers shot and killed 25-year-old Alexander LaMorie on March 1, after he called for a wellness check. LaMorie, a man with autism, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to cbsnews.com, the three officers involved were identified as two-year veteran Officer Joel Rodriguez, six-year veteran Officer Cody Bostic, and ten-year veteran PFC Joseph Riebau. The Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division is investigating the shooting.
The incident took place at Patuxent Commons in Columbia — an apartment complex that provides housing for seniors and adults with disabilities.
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Officers responded to suicidal statements
As officers were en route, dispatch audio captured a first responder saying, "We were speaking with a caller on the phone. He began making suicidal statements." LaMorie had reportedly threatened to harm himself during that call.
On arrival, officers went to LaMorie's unit but did not find him. While two officers searched the building, a radio report indicated a suspect was approaching officers with a knife. They encountered LaMorie outside, armed with one.
Body camera footage shows officers repeatedly commanding LaMorie to drop the knife. He continued walking toward them.
"I don't care. I don't want to live anymore, I want to be free of my pain, man," LaMorie is heard saying in the video.
One officer responded: "It'll get better, man. I'm telling you it can get better."
As LaMorie kept advancing, one officer noted their backs were against a wall. The officers then fired several shots. LaMorie fell to the ground. Officers continued issuing commands and began providing first aid. A knife was recovered near his body, the Attorney General's Office confirmed.
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Family calls footage "horrific"
LaMorie's family described the released body camera footage as "horrific" and "deeply shocking." His mother, Dr. Jill Harrington — an author and grief counselor — said her son had called for help as a victim of a cyber scam.
"The loss of Alex continues to cause deep trauma and pain for me, my husband, Alex's siblings, family, and friends," Harrington said in a statement.
Harrington said she did not watch the footage herself, but had it reviewed and summarized for her.
"It is also disturbing to know that in his cry for help, during his darkest hour, the onus to save himself seems to have been placed on him when he was at his most wounded," she said. "For these reasons and for the protection of my own mental health, I have decided not to watch the body cam footage of my son — one person — being shot and killed by multiple bullet wounds from three out of the four police officers present, with weapons drawn, after he called for their assistance and stated that he was in pain and at risk of self-harm."
The family noted that LaMorie was among the first residents chosen to live at Patuxent Commons, a housing community serving low-income adults with disabilities, young adults, and seniors. "He was excited to be a part of the Patuxent Commons Community, which is full of caring and support for people with autism," his family said.
LaMorie had previously shared his experience with grief and autism in online videos produced with his mother's assistance. His family also described him as an advocate for others with autism who gave presentations and appeared on panels to help those experiencing grief and loss.
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Neighbours express fear over police response
Residents of Patuxent Commons said the shooting left them distressed. A neighbour identified only as Asia, who has lived in the building since it opened, said she witnessed the aftermath.
"For someone to call for help, and there was, their response is to be death is sad," Asia said. She added that she now fears calling police and does not feel safe. "No, not at all. Even in coming out that night, I didn't feel safe. They didn't let me know anything that was going on. So, it's a lot."
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County pledges improved mental health response
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball issued a statement following the release of the footage, calling LaMorie's death a "tragic loss."
"My team has been in communication with Alex's family and the Autism Society of Maryland in advance of the release of footage. Our thoughts and condolences are with Alex's family and loved ones as they grieve Alex's loss," Ball said.
Ball and County Police Chief Gregory Der vowed to improve police responses to mental health emergencies. "Since the incident occurred, my team began immediate conversations with Chief Der and our Police Department on strategies to support our residents during mental health crises and support people with autism and other developmental disabilities to ensure they are handled with a great level of understanding, patience, and specialized response," Ball said.
The county executive noted that nearly 80% of Howard County police officers hold certification in specialized intervention training focused on individuals with autism and other disabilities. The county has received more than 5,000 mental health calls over the past five years, Ball added.
WJZ has reached out to the Howard County Police Officers' Association for a statement, which had not been received at the time of publication.
Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)