The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General on Monday released the body-worn camera footage from the deadly police-involved shooting in Columbia on March 1.
In that shooting, 25-year-old Alexander LaMorie, died from his injuries.
On March 1 just after midnight, Howard County Police responded to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult man threatening to harm himself.
Around 12:22 a.m., police said they encountered LaMorie outside the building.
Authorities said LaMorie approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon.
After ignoring commands and continuing to approach the officers, police shot LaMorie.
Despite life-saving measures, LaMorie was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities recovered a knife near LaMorie's body.
The family of LaMorie provided a statement to FOX45 News on the shooting:
The horrific footage released today is deeply shocking. The loss of Alex continues to cause deep trauma and pain for me, my husband, Alex’s siblings, family, and friends. I have chosen not to watch the police response to my son’s call for help as a victim of a cyber scam.
Having been a proud member of his family and community, this malicious act triggered severe traumatic shame for Alex, coupled with autism rumination (getting stuck on negative thoughts and emotions) which resulted in an acute suicidal crisis at Patuxent Commons in Columbia, Maryland—an intentional housing community serving low-income adults with disabilities, young adults, and seniors.
The video has been reviewed and summarized to me. My heart breaks to know that my son was in stated pain and suicidal crisis.
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.
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.
In this shroud of darkness what helps me see some shred of light and restores my sense of faith and hope is the support I continue to receive - mostly from my friends and family who are in law enforcement and are first responders. These are my roots and it is difficult not to feel a sense of broken faith and trust.
According to the Autism Society Justice Center, thirty to 50 percent of people killed by law enforcement are people with Autism or other disabilities.
We can and must do better. We appreciate and respect that some news stations are not airing the more graphic footage out of respect for the family.
- Dr. Jill Harrington, Mother of Alex LaMorie
