Autistic Man Shot By Police Described As 'Bright Light' By Family

COLUMBIA, MD — The family of Alex LaMorie, the man fatally shot by Howard County police officers Sunday outside his apartment complex, has spoken out about the loss of their loved one.

"The event which occurred during the early morning of March 1, 2026, is very difficult for us, as a family, to understand. Nevertheless, everyone who knew and loved Alexander (Alex) LaMorie, is deeply saddened and shocked by his death, which occurred after he called for a 'wellness check,'" the family said in a statement sent to Patch.

Family described Alex as kind, loving and enthusiastic, a "bright light in the community."

"While Alex faced challenges related to his autism, he was able to function with it in his daily life and refused to be hampered by it. He was 25 years old, had earned an associate’s degree and was a student at the University of Maryland Global Campus," the family's statement read.

Jill Harrington, LaMorie's mom, told Patch that "Alex was in crisis and called for help, and first responders must be better trained to prevent tragic outcomes instead of contributing to them." She described what happened to her son as every parent of an autistic child's "worst nightmare."

“People who knew Alex or are moved by his tragic and unnecessary death should pick up the phone to their state and federal representatives to demand better for the most vulnerable members of our society from those who are sworn to protect our communities," Harrington said.

"As a veteran-military family and children and grandchildren of first responders (police and fire), we are horrified and are suffering more than the horrors of traumatic grief — we are suffering the systematic, betrayal-based moral injury that comes when those sworn to protect choose to end a life instead of exhausting every effort to save one. We are suffering the betrayal of the fundamental values of service to our nation — to defend and protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — and the sworn duty of first responders to protect, not harm, those they are called to help," she added.

Harrington emphasized that people with autism who are in crisis "must never be viewed as expendable."

"Alex deserved understanding, de-escalation and safe care in his moment of greatest need," Harrington said.

LaMorie lived at Patuxent Commons Community, a new housing complex dedicated to people with autism, as well as for senior citizens. The family described the Patuxent Commons Community as "full of caring and support for people with autism."

There, LaMorie served on the advisory board for the Autism and Grief Project with the Hospice Foundation of America.

• Related: Man Shot By Police Identified, May Have Been Autistic

"Alex spoke publicly about autism and presented on panels at the San Diego Comic Con and before the Association for Death Education and Counseling, where he offered help and advocacy for those experiencing grief and loss. Like many others with autism, he was dedicated and involved with keeping himself healthy and stable. If the circumstances required, he had a safety plan and knew to call others for help," the family statement said.

Family members said LaMorie was raised by a "loving and caring mom" and grew up in a military-veteran family. He was the great-grandson of a retired New York City policeman and grandson of a New York City firefighter.

"Alex was known and loved by many in the grief, disability and military-veteran community. He was the light of his doting big sister’s eyes and the best friend to his stepfather, siblings, uncles, cousins and many others. His family and friends are utterly heartbroken," the family said.

"Like many, we struggle to understand the circumstances surrounding his senseless and callous death. The family appreciates your kind thoughts, prayers and requests your compassion, understanding and privacy as we come to terms with this profound and tragic event," the statement concluded.

The family released their statement on Tuesday, the same day that the Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General identified LaMorie and the involved officers.

The fatal shooting happened Sunday around 12:09 a.m. when Howard County police were called to the apartment complex on Freetown Road, Patch reported previously. They had received a report of a man threatening to harm himself, the police department said.

In dispatch audio shared by CBS News Baltimore, a first responder could be heard saying, "We were speaking with a caller on the phone. He began making suicidal statements."

But police could not find the man heard on the 911 call when they arrived at the apartment complex.

"Can we get another couple units over here to start making checks for this guy?" police can be heard asking on dispatch audio. "He's not in his apartment."

As the officers left the apartment building, they said they saw the man — later identified as LaMorie of Columbia — in the parking lot walking toward them with a knife in one hand around 12:22 a.m., the police department said.

LaMorie approached the officers holding a knife and, according to police, disregarded their order to drop the knife. Officers then shot LaMorie, who was pronounced dead at the scene after police attempted life-saving measures.

A knife was found by his body, according to a news release from the Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

The involved officers have been identified as HCPD Officer Joel Rodriguez, a two-year veteran; Officer Cody Bostic, a six-year veteran; and PFC Joseph Riebau, a 10-year veteran.

The officers on scene were equipped with body-worn cameras, which recorded the incident. The IID, which continues to investigate the shooting, will generally release body-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident.  

Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576-7070 or by email at IID@oag.maryland.gov.