Shocking video has been released showing the moment Los Angeles police officers shot and killed a bipolar man carrying a plastic fork.
Jason Maccani, 36, was shot and killed in a Skid Row warehouse on Saturday. Police were called to the scene after receiving a report of a man threatening people with a “stick or pole.”
Authorities claimed the deceased “attacked” them, but the video shows how Maccani initially complied with orders to surrender, before lowering his hands and advancing toward them.
This led officers to begin firing beanbags and rubber projectiles before rookie officer Caleb Garcia-Alamilla unloaded a lethal bullet into the victim’s chest.
“Are you telling me that you thought it was a knife or a weapon that could seriously injure you?” Mike Maccani, Jason’s brother, was enraged Los Angeles Times. “A closed fist would scare me more than a white plastic fork.”
Shocking video shows LAPD officers fatally shooting a bipolar man they mistakenly believed was armed with a knife or screwdriver.
Jason Maccani, 36, was shot and killed in a Skid Row warehouse on Saturday. Police said he charged at them before lunging at an officer who was firing bean bag bullets, however footage shows how he initially complied.
Maccani was only “armed” at the time with a plastic fork, which was later presented as evidence.
Police later said the officer identified in the shooting is Garcia-Alamilla, a former Marine who graduated less than a year ago. The shooting is now under investigation and police released footage of the shooting on Tuesday.
Surveillance footage shows seven officers moving down the corridor in the 600 block of Towne Avenue.
Maccani appears around a corner, walking slowly toward the officers with his fork clenched between his fingers.
When he approaches officers, who said they thought he was carrying a screwdriver or knife, they begin firing bullets from a beanbag shotgun.
Maccani then continues to approach them, making contact with a shotgun being held by an officer.
As he grabs the gun, another officer fires the lethal bullet from his gun and the officers tackle Maccani to the ground.
Bodycam footage also shows how Maccani initially complied with the officers by raising his hands in the air and walking backward toward their voice.
After a few steps, he drops his hands, prompting the police to start yelling at him to stay still.
The confused looking victim continues to move forward and is bounced off by a round beanbag.
Maccani was due to join his brother and sister for a “sibling day” before he was shot and killed in the altercation with police.
Former rookie police officer and Marine Caleb Garcia-Alamilla was identified as the officer involved in the shooting.
The victim had suffered a manic episode a few days before his death, according to his brother
Maccani initially raised his arms as instructed and began walking slowly toward the officers.
A loud noise resembling a gunshot is heard and the Maccani lets out a scream before lunging towards the officer. Another bang is heard and another officer manages to push him against a wall.
The police then pounce on him, throw him to the ground and slap him in handcuffs.
‘Relax guys, did someone shoot?’ An officer asks as Maccani is heard moaning on the ground.
“I did,” another responds, before confirming that he was “fatally shot” in the arm.
Authorities are now investigating,’whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD policies and procedures,” according to a police statement.
Maccani’s brother said he had suffered a manic episode just days before his death. He calls for better police training to address mental health issues.
“He was never violent,” she said. “That’s something that disturbed me a little about this recent incident.”
Authorities released video of the fatal shooting and highlighted the fork the suspect was holding.
The LAPD is now investigating whether Garcia-Alamilla’s use of deadly force complied with its policies.
Mike became worried about his brother when he stopped responding to text messages about his plans to spend a “siblings day” with his sister on Saturday.
On Monday, his worst fears were confirmed when he received a call from the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office.
“I collapsed when I got home in my partner’s arms and cried and cried,” she said.
Jason was described as an avid snowboarder, who cared deeply for his maternal grandparents, whom he visited several times a week.