25-year-old autistic US man calls 911 for wellness check, police shoot him dead

Alex LaMorie, a 25-year-old autistic man in Maryland, had called 911 during a suicidal crisis seeking a wellness check. He was shot dead by police.

A 25-year-old autistic man who had recently moved into a housing community in the United States's Maryland designed for people with disabilities was shot dead by police after calling 911 during a suicidal crisis, seeking assistance and a wellness check.

Alex LaMorie had moved into Patuxent Commons, a housing community created for people with autism and other disabilities, just three days before the shooting. According to his family, LaMorie had a safety plan that included contacting police for a wellness check if he experienced a mental health crisis. His mother had also informed authorities that he was autistic and at risk of self-harm.

On the morning of February 28, LaMorie sent his mother an inspirational text message that read: “Life is too short to be mad at everyone, so I’m nice to almost everyone instead.” Hours later, he called her to say he was in crisis and had contacted police, as outlined in his safety plan, The Washington Post reported.

When police officers arrived at the apartment complex in Columbia shortly after midnight, they initially searched the building but were unable to locate him.

As officers exited the building, they saw LaMorie walking toward them from a parking lot while holding a knife, officials said. Police said officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon, but he continued approaching them. Three officers then opened fire, fatally striking him.

The officers involved -- Joel Rodriguez, Cody Bostic and Joseph Riebau -- have been placed on administrative leave. The attorney general’s office said body camera footage of the incident could be released within 20 days as part of the ongoing investigation.