'Horrific' Bodycam Footage Released, Denounced By Autistic Man's Family

COLUMBIA, MD — Body camera footage has been released from the fatal police shooting of Alexander LaMorie, 25, who was autistic.

The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General on Monday released the body camera footage from the the encounter involving the Howard County Police Department on March 1 outside LaMorie's apartment complex in Columbia.

The apartment complex was built in partnership with the Autism Society of Maryland, and nearly a quarter of the units are allocated to individuals with disabilities. Another 40% is affordable housing for seniors.

"The horrific footage released today is deeply shocking. The loss of Alex continues to cause deep trauma and pain for me, my husband, Alex’s siblings, family and friends. I have chosen not to watch the police response to my son’s call for help as a victim of a cyber scam," said Dr. Jill Harrington, LaMorie's mother.

"Having been a proud member of his family and community, this malicious act triggered severe traumatic shame for Alex, coupled with autism rumination (getting stuck on negative thoughts and emotions), which resulted in an acute suicidal crisis …," Harrington added.

Related: Extortion Scam Led Autistic Man To Call Howard Co. Police For Help

The attorney general's office previously identified the officers involved in the shooting as Officer Joel Rodriguez, a two-year veteran; Officer Cody Bostic, a six-year veteran; and PFC Joseph Riebau, a 10-year veteran. The three are on paid administrative leave while waiting to learn the outcome of the investigation.

Harrington said in her statement that the video has been reviewed by others and summarized for her. She noted she's struggling with the outcome of the situation that ultimately took her son's life.

"My heart breaks to know that my son was in stated pain and suicidal crisis. It is also disturbing to know that in his cry for help, during his darkest hour, the onus to save himself seems to have been placed on him when he was at his most wounded," Harrington said.

"For these reasons and for the protection of my own mental health, I have decided not to watch the bodycam footage of my son (one person) being shot and killed by multiple bullet wounds from three out of the four police officers present, with weapons drawn, after he called for their assistance and stated that he was in pain and at risk of self-harm," she continued.

"In this shroud of darkness, what helps me see some shred of light and restores my sense of faith and hope is the support I continue to receive — mostly from my friends and family who are in law enforcement and are first responders. These are my roots and it is difficult not to feel a sense of broken faith and trust," Harrington added.

On March 1, Howard County police officers responded to a report of a man threatening to harm himself. Three police officers — all of whom have been trained in working with individuals with disabilities, leaders said — arrived at Patuxent Commons shortly after midnight March 1 in response to LaMorie's call to dispatchers, Patch reported previously.

According to the police department, LaMorie approached the police officers while holding a knife. Officers told LaMorie to drop the knife, but he did not comply. He continued walking toward officers while holding the knife and officers opened fire. LaMorie was pronounced dead at the scene despite police and emergency responders administering lifesaving measures, authorities said.

"According to the Autism Society Justice Center, 30 to 50 percent of people killed by law enforcement are people with autism or other disabilities," Harrington said. "We can and must do better. We appreciate and respect that some news stations are not airing the more graphic footage out of respect for the family."

Related: Family Of Autistic Man Shot By Cops Feels Traumatized

At a news conference held by authorities March 12, it was disclosed that LaMorie had called 911 because he'd fallen victim to an extortion scam. HCPD Police Chief Gregory Der said at the news conference that LaMorie told the dispatcher he had exchanged personal information and photographs with someone who claimed to be a young woman.

Then LaMorie received a threatening text that if he didn't pay the person money, all of his photos and texts would be released, Patch reported previously.

“We have seen incidents where individuals with developmental disabilities are targeted by these individuals, which can produce intense feelings of embarrassment and shame. Our goal is to find the person or persons responsible and hold them accountable," Der said during the news conference. "This tragic sequence of events began with a cruel online scam and ended with the worst kind of loss. Unfortunately, this kind of crime is becoming more common."

However, LaMorie's family said the unexpected March 12 news conference held by county leaders triggered "unnecessary additional traumatic stress."

In a statement sent to Patch, the family said they were speny that day paying respect to LaMorie's remains. They were given 15 to 20 minutes' notice of the news conference happening.

"It was very difficult for our family, who is profoundly and traumatically grieving, to be provided only 15-20 minutes notification of a planned after-action briefing today, on a day we reserved to pay private and quiet respect to our son’s remains. Providing adequate advance notice would have allowed us time to prepare for the complex grief that accompanies sudden, violent bereavement instead of triggering unnecessary additional traumatic stress — which now includes taking time and expending the little energy we have to respond to the news conference, instead of spending the time we had set aside to quietly be with our son," the family said in their statement.

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

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball shared a statement after the bodycam footage was released.

“There are no words that can adequately express my grief regarding the tragic loss of Alexander LaMorie. As our children grow older and move away from home, our only wish is that they end the day safely. As parents of children who are neurodivergent or differently abled, we often carry a heightened anxiety regarding the safety of our children. My team has been in communication with Alex’s family and the Autism Society of Maryland in advance of the release of footage. Our thoughts and condolences are with Alex’s family and loved ones as they grieve Alex’s loss," Ball said.

Ball added that since the March 1 fatal shooting of LaMorie, the Howard County Police Department has purchased 200 tasers so that "officers have alternatives when facing dangerous and unpredictable circumstances."

"We also continue reviewing new technologies and best practices as they emerge," Ball said.

The police department also continues to share information about their 911 flagging program and started reviewing the agency's critical incident training, Ball stated.