Last Thursday, at a press conference held by community leaders and local residents, Miami found itself at the heart of another discussion about the handling of police-involved shootings. This comes in the wake of a grave incident where a police encounter left a mentally ill man, Donald Armstrong, severely injured.
Details of the Incident
On March 7, Armstrong, 47, was shot seven times, landing him in Jackson Memorial Hospital in serious condition. As the shots rang out, his mother could be heard pleading with the officers not to kill her son. The aftermath of the incident has seen Armstrong listed in critical condition, while his mother has been hospitalized due to stress.
Officer Kiara Delva, a spokesperson for the Miami Police Department, stated that the police were responding to a call about an individual thought to be under the influence of narcotics and causing a disturbance. The address was near the 5700 block of Northwest Seventh Court.
Armstrong was encountered at the scene, described as an “aggressive subject,” wielding a sharp object and non-compliant with the officers’ commands. Records show that Armstrong had prior convictions, including burglary, aggravated assault with a weapon, and battery on a pregnant victim.
Community Reaction and Response
Cellphone video footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting. Armstrong can be seen brandishing a long object in one hand, being tased multiple times, and shouting statements like “Shoot me in the heart” and “I am God!” He charged at the officers, was struck by a taser a second time, and when he still didn’t comply with orders, was ultimately shot.
However, the community, neighbors, and Armstrong’s family are questioning the police’s decision to use lethal force. Miami Police Chief Manny Morales responded to the incident, pledging to improve the department’s handling of calls involving mental and behavioral issues and asking for prayers for Armstrong and his family.
Looking Towards Non-Police Crisis Response
In light of the incident, the community leaders and local residents are advocating for a non-police crisis response program. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting as standard procedure. Yet, this incident has sparked a broader conversation about the need for alternative methods of responding to situations involving individuals with mental health issues.
The concept of non-police crisis response is not new. Cities like Eugene, Oregon, have started implementing such programs successfully. The CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) program in Eugene sends a medic and a crisis worker with mental health training to non-violent calls related to mental illness, homelessness, and addiction.
As Miami grapples with this recent tragedy, the call for a similar program in the city grows louder, hoping to prevent incidents like the one involving Armstrong from happening in the future. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health training and crisis response in law enforcement.