A police officer shot dead a man who attacked authorities with two swords and a fencing mask in Long Island, New York.
Alan Weber, 54, died Tuesday evening after confronting Suffolk County police officers with two swords and ignoring orders in his basement.
Police Chief Rodney Harrison said Wednesday that the shooting in East Northport appeared justified.
“I was able to review the body-worn cameras this morning and at this time I believe it is a legitimate shot.” Harrison said at a news conference.
Neighbors called 911 after seeing Weber running from house to house in the neighborhood, trying to open doors, collect mail, direct non-existent traffic and leaving rosary beads littered with blood on a porch.
He was shouting and breaking stuff as officers arrived and charged at them with twin swords in a fencing mask.
Alan Weber (pictured), 54, was shot dead by a police officer on Tuesday evening after attacking Suffolk County police officers with two swords
He confronted authorities with two swords and a fencing mask in the basement of his home (pictured) in East Northport, New York
Neighbors called 911 after seeing Weber running from house to house in the neighborhood (photo)
Police said Weber refused to obey commands to drop the swords and an officer shot a stun gun at him.
“I feel like the officers had no choice but to use what they could use to stop the threat,” Harrison said.
‘The officers first used a Taser. They asked the subject to drop the swords. He was also wearing a fencing mask again,” the police commissioner added.
When Weber attacked, the police officer who did not use the Taser fired several shots. Weber was later pronounced dead at Huntington Hospital.
The officer’s name has not been released.
According to police, both officers tried to revive Weber, but were unsuccessful.
The officers on scene are trained in crisis intervention, with one having six years of experience with the department and the other four years, the police department said.
Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison (pictured) said on Wednesday that the shooting appeared justified
Weber’s social media account shows that he was the owner and head coach of the Elevate Fencing Club
He made the U.S. National Team five times and served as an alternate for the Olympic Games
Weber’s social media account shows that he was the owner and head coach of the Elevate Fencing Club. He went to the University of Pennsylvania.
He made the U.S. National Team five times and served as an alternate for the Olympic Games.
Weber coached at Manhattan Fencing Club and began working as a foil coach at Rockland Fencers Club in 2020.
Weber had struggled with depression and aggression since his divorce from his wife and children, neighbors said.
“I wish there were better protocols in place to take care of him earlier in the day when we told them things are going to escalate,” Natalie Kaufman, who lives nearby, said. CBS News.
“The police shot this man in his own home,” a person said off camera.
‘It wasn’t one shot. We heard six shots. There has to be an alternative path to what happened,” said another.
‘This man has been behaving erratically for the past few weeks. He was off his meds. Why didn’t they catch him before it escalated?’ someone said.
“I wish there were better protocols in place to take care of him earlier in the day when we told them things are going to escalate,” Natalie Kaufman (pictured) said.
Neighbors said they had sought police help several times for psychiatric interventions
‘It wasn’t one shot. We heard six shots. There has to be an alternative path to what happened,” said a neighbor
Neighbors said they had sought police help several times for psychiatric interventions.
‘You have to be vigilant. That’s it, vigilantly looking around and seeing if anyone needs help,” said homeowner Leela James of East Northport.
Suffolk County police are currently investigating Weber’s shooting while simultaneously facing a lawsuit in another case related to the shooting of a mentally ill victim.
Attorney Kenneth Mollins, who represents the victim, said police shot his client while he was doing a welfare check.
“Police in Suffolk County clearly and unequivocally have no idea what to do in a situation where they are dealing with someone with mental health issues,” Mollins said.
