A man was shot and killed by police in Adelaide during a mental health crisis, prompting an extensive inquiry into the incident.
Adelaide: A tragic incident unfolded when police shot a 40-year-old man during a mental health crisis. It all started when officers were called to his home in Craigburn Farm early Tuesday.
They received reports that he was self-harming. When the police arrived, they say the man confronted them with a knife. They tried using a taser, but it didn’t work.
Sadly, the situation escalated, and the police shot him after he continued to pose a threat. He later died in the hospital.
The South Australian police commissioner, Grant Stevens, announced an extensive inquiry into what happened. He mentioned that the detective chief superintendent would lead the investigation.
Stevens reviewed the body camera footage and described the scene as highly stressful and dangerous. He noted that the officers seemed to act according to their training to protect themselves and the ambulance crew present.
He acknowledged how tough this situation is for everyone involved, including the police officers and their families.
Four officers responded after the man’s girlfriend, who wasn’t there, alerted the police during a video call, saying he was threatening to harm himself.
Stevens mentioned that more than one officer fired their weapon, but he didn’t have details on how many shots were fired. The man was alone at home during the incident.
When asked why the taser failed, Stevens explained that various factors could affect its effectiveness. In this case, the man was wrapped in a blanket, which might have prevented the taser from working properly.
He also addressed the appropriateness of police involvement in mental health crises, stating that it’s often necessary for them to respond, especially when violence is involved.
For anyone needing support, there are resources available in Australia, like Beyond Blue and Lifeline, as well as services in the UK and the US.
