An Arlington man is dead after police say he advanced toward an officer with a large knife late Thursday night, prompting the officer to open fire during a mental health welfare call.
The incident unfolded around 10:44 p.m. on September 17 in the 1700 block of West Lovers Lane, where officers were dispatched following a 911 call reporting a 56-year-old man making suicidal statements and believed to have access to knives.
Four Arlington Police Department officers arrived at the residence and were greeted by the person who made the 911 call, who then guided them to the room where the man was located. Officers could hear yelling from inside and learned that another family member was also in the room with the man.
Officers opened the door and safely removed the family member from the room before attempting to make contact with the man. As one officer stepped inside, the man became agitated and produced a large knife.
The officer issued multiple verbal commands ordering the man to drop the weapon, but he refused to comply. The man then moved toward the officer while still holding the knife, at which point the officer discharged his service weapon several times, striking the man.
Officers immediately rendered first aid until emergency medical personnel arrived on scene. The man was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. No officers or other individuals inside the home sustained injuries.
The Arlington Police Department confirmed that two separate investigations have been launched as a matter of standard protocol. The APD Homicide Unit will conduct a criminal investigation to determine whether any laws were violated and the Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an administrative review to assess whether officers followed department policy and procedures.
All four officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with APD policy while both investigations are ongoing. The name of the deceased has not yet been released.