DeSoto police officers killed a man on Friday, and his family is wondering whether deadly force was required. He is seen approaching officers with a knife in each hand in footage that was made public on Monday.
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DeSoto police shot and killed 26-year-old Arthur Armstrong Jr. after he approached officers with knives in hand on Friday morning.
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Body camera video of the shooting was released during a news conference on Monday.
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Armstrong’s family members say even after watching the video, they still have questions about why deadly force was needed.
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DeSoto police shot and killed 26-year-old Arthur Armstrong Jr. after he approached officers with knives in hand on Friday morning.
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Body camera video of the shooting was released during a news conference on Monday.
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Armstrong’s family members say even after watching the video, they still have questions about why deadly force was needed.
DeSOTO, Texas:Video of a fatal shot involving a man brandishing several knives was made public by the DeSoto Police Department.
The individual was experiencing a mental health episode, according to family members who were present at the Monday morning news conference. They claim to have questions even after watching the video.
The Backstory
The shooting took place at a house on Hunter’s Creek this past Friday at approximately 11 a.m.
According to DeSoto Police Chief Joseph Costa, Arthur Armstrong Jr., age 26, dialed 911 and hung up. Armstrong said he planned to hurt cops and had multiple weapons when dispatchers contacted him back.
Knife-wielding man who ‘wanted to harm police’ shot and killed by DeSoto police officer
According to DeSoto police, the suspect “immediately approached officers aggressively” upon their arrival while brandishing two knives. Officers reportedly told him multiple times to stop and down the guns, but he refused. He received one gunshot wound to the chest.
After a second caller verified that Armstrong was present along with several other locals, patrol officers from the DeSoto Police Department arrived on the scene. The caller claimed that Armstrong was mentally ill and that he was carrying a knife, which he refused to put down, according to Chief Costa.
Three police visited the house, according to the chief. In the front yard, they discovered the man brandishing two knives.
Body camera footage of the officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of 26-year-old Arthur Armstrong, Jr. was made public by the DeSoto Police Department.
“As Armstrong approached the officers armed with a knife in each hand, he disregarded multiple commands from officers to stop and drop the weapons,” Costa stated. “As Armstrong continued to close the distance between himself and officers, one DeSoto fired a single round from a patrol rifle, striking Armstrong in the chest.”
Despite being transported to the hospital, Armstrong did not make it through the shooting.
The Video
The events leading up to a fatal shooting were captured on camera by a police officer. Arthur Armstrong, Jr., 26, allegedly disregarded orders to drop the blades he was holding in each hand, according to the police.
Armstrong can be seen approaching with blades in hand in a 40-second video that the police department published from an officer’s body camera.
“This video depicts the time when Armstrong turned his attention from the first officer and approached the second responding officers,” Costa said.
He can be heard being told repeatedly to “drop the knife” by officers as the situation worsened as witnesses in the background yelled.
Armstrong is shown on camera retorting after a single shot.
According to the chief, the police department altered the video recording to make faces and license plates appear blurry.
What People Are Saying
Following the showing of the footage, Armstrong’s family talked to the media at the news conference. They said that because police had previously dealt with Armstrong for similar problems, they were aware of his mental health concerns.
Charles Boyce, an attorney, claimed to be Armstrong’s godfather.
“I can speak for the family when I say that we’re struggling with comprehension. Let’s make one thing obvious. This was a psychological problem. He claimed that there was a mental health crisis at the time. “We re having a hard time understanding why this outcome had to be why the level of force?”
In support of the family, state representative Carl O. Sherman, who was connected to Armstrong, also attended the press conference.
“As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, I am not present. On behalf of my family, I’m here. We are currently in mourning. Sherman stated, “AJ cannot be brought back.”
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They were urged to wait for the investigation’s conclusion by Chief Costa and DeSoto Mayor Pro Temp Leticia Hughes.
“Every death is tragic, and we understand the deep sorrow it causes to the surviving family, friends, and community. This occurrence is grave and heartbreaking. The inquiry is still underway at this time, and we pledge to keep the public informed as new information becomes available. As we make sure the procedure is comprehensive and equitable, we kindly beg for your patience,” Hughes stated.
“We are aware of the significant effects that events such as these have on our community, the people who are involved, and their families. We are dedicated to releasing information as it becomes available, and the DeSoto Police Department has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident’s circumstances,” Costa stated.
Armstrong’s brother, a football player at the University of Arkansas, also expressed his anger over this tragic incident on social media, claiming that his brother was struggling with mental health problems.
What s Next
The criminal investigation has been taken over by the Grand Prairie Police Department, and the police response will be independently reviewed by the Public Integrity Unit of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
Reporters were not allowed to ask any questions of the police department on Monday.
The identify of the cop who fired his firearm has not been made public by the police. While he is on paid administrative leave, they claim that is still being investigated.
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Family members of Arthur Armstrong Jr. and the DeSoto Police Department provided the information for this story.
Family members of Arthur Armstrong Jr. and the DeSoto Police Department provided the information for this story.
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