A man who was the subject of a mental health intervention in D.C. was shot and killed by a police officer who had spent nearly two hours convincing him to be taken to a hospital for help on Wednesday, authorities say.
Clifford Brooks, of Northeast D.C., was killed, the Metropolitan Police Department said. He was 41.
The shooting occurred in the 1300 block of N. Capitol Street, at New York Avenue, and prompted a large emergency response.
“This is a tragic situation, and our condolences go to the family,” D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said.
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A number of officers could be seen on N. Capitol Street beneath the bridge for New York Avenue. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officers also were on scene. About 15 shell casings could be seen near an ambulance.
The officer who shot the man is a trained crisis intervention officer who had tried for hours to calm him, police said.
Here's what police say happened
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Metropolitan Police Department officers and members of D.C. Fire and EMS responded to the 2500 block of Benning Road NE at about 6:45 a.m., Chief of Police Pamela Smith said. A 911 caller said a man was having a mental health crisis.
A trained crisis intervention officer was among those who responded, Smith said.
“For nearly two hours, they engaged in [a] crisis intervention conversation with him,” the chief said.
First responders began to take the man to a hospital via ambulance for treatment, with the crisis officer following behind in his cruiser. During the ambulance ride, the man became agitated and assaulted a woman firefighter/paramedic who was alone with him inside the ambulance. The man was not in custody or handcuffed at the time.
The firefighter/paramedic was able to slip out the side door of the ambulance and flee, and the man followed her outside.
More officers were called to the scene. An officer deployed O.C. spray to try to stop the man and the assault, but it did not take effect, Smith said.
The man ran through traffic on N. Capitol Street and was found hiding under a truck. He emerged from beneath it holding a “metal object raised in his hand.” Smith declined to say what the object was.
The object was a tire pressure gauge, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told News4. An object that appeared to be a tire pressure gauge and was 6 to 8 inches long could be seen near an evidence marker.
A statement issued by police on Thursday morning said: “The officer directed the man to drop the metal object, but he refused and moved towards him with the object raised. The officer retreated backwards and again directed the man to drop the metal object. The man charged towards the officer, grabbed at him, and swung the metal object at him. At that time, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the man.”
The ambulance crew began life-saving efforts, but the man was pronounced dead.
The firefighter/paramedic and officer who police say the man attacked received minor injuries and were not taken to the hospital, Donnelly said.
Streets in the area were shut down for hours.
The officer was placed on administrative leave. He has been on the force for over 30 years and has extensive training on how to respond to mental health crises.
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An independent investigation will be conducted, Smith said. How many shots the officer fired will be determined through the investigation, she said.
“Any loss of life is tragic, and I want to extend my condolences to the family of the individual who lost his life,” the police chief said.
The police investigation will be reviewed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. Under D.C. law, the police department has until next week to officially release the officer’s body-worn camera video, unless the family of the man who was killed objects.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
