Fort Worth police release video showing officers responding to armed, suicidal man – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Fort Worth police released bodycam videos Friday morning showing the deadly interaction between officers and a suicidal man.

The incident occurred on Monday, September 23, when police were called around 6 p.m. to assist a man who called 911 and said he had a gun and wanted to hurt himself.

Police Chief Neil Noakes said Friday that officers found the man after a lengthy search in a drainage ditch not far from his car parked on the 4800 block of Selkirk Drive.

In the video released Friday, officers called the man by name and attempted to speak to him. Moments later, the officer can be heard first asking him to “show me your hands,” followed by “put that away.” The officer then repeatedly says, “Don’t,” before shots are heard.

After the brief burst of gunfire, officers again asked the man to drop his weapon.

“Hands up… I don't want to do it!” said an officer as the man retreated into a concrete drainage tunnel.

After a few seconds, a single gunshot was heard and officers realized the man shot himself and was seen falling backwards with his hand lowered to his side.

Noakes said when the man pointed his gun toward the officers, even though they were there to help the man, they were doing what their training had taught them and protecting themselves from a deadly threat.

“That was a real statement. 'I don't want to do it, don't make me do it.' They didn’t want it to happen like that,” Noakes said. “I hate that this gentleman was so desperate that he thought this was the only answer. But when I hear that, it breaks my heart because he [the officer] “I didn’t mean to shoot, but unfortunately that’s exactly what happened.”

Noakes said when the man called 911, he was not asking for help but rather trying to tell police where they could find his body.

“I hope that when you watch the video you saw the thought, care and intent of the officers before they even approached. They didn't rush into the situation headfirst. They didn't run up to this gentleman and scream at him. ” said Noakes. “One officer said before approaching, 'We don't want this to turn into something it doesn't have to be,' meaning we don't want anyone to get hurt.”

On the day of the shooting, police confirmed that the man died at the scene and a handgun was found near his body. On Friday, police confirmed that two officers shot at the man, hitting him once. However, it was unclear which officer met the man and where. According to police, the man also suffered a fatal wound when he turned the gun on himself. The Tarrant County Coroner's Office will confirm the man's final cause of death.

“This is nothing short of an absolutely tragic situation. Obviously it is tragic and traumatic for this gentleman's family and loved ones. It is also tragic and very traumatic for the officers who responded to the scene,” Noakes said.

The chief urged the community to respond and get involved by helping people in crisis or on the brink of crisis, seeking help through the Suicide and Crisis Hotline (Dial 988) or the countless social services throughout the Metroplex find.

“This is another time that requires a response, and the response is for all of us to become more engaged,” Noakes said. “I implore anyone who either suffers from mental health issues or knows someone who needs help.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live on 988lifeline.org – Callers are connected to trained counselors who are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit SPeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

During his press conference Friday, Noakes said the department's wellness and resiliency program provides clinical resources for officers who have witnessed traumatic incidents.

“We in law enforcement have not done a good job of caring for the mental and emotional well-being of our officers for years, but we have realized in recent years how critical it is,” Noakes said.

Noakes said the wellness program's sole mission is to address the mental health of the city's first responders. The unit reports to officers after critical incidents, such as: B. an officer-involved shooting, but can also address any other health concerns.

The Wellness Department has a peer support team and department employees have access to an app with mental health resources. They have also partnered with the American Warrior Association, a Fort Worth-based nonprofit that supports military members, veterans and first responders and their families “in mind, body and spirit,” to launch their R3 program, “Respond, Restore, Resolve.” to develop. This program is designed to help officers recover and heal after traumatic incidents.