BALTIMORE, Md. — The family of an autistic man who was shot and killed by Howard County police earlier this year has filed a lawsuit alleging that both the officers involved and the county violated his rights under federal disability legislation.
On February 28, police officers from Howard County fired at Alex LaMorie a total of 12 times outside Patuxent Commons in Columbia, leading to his death as he approached them with a knife.
Prior to the incident, LaMorie had called 911, reporting that he was a victim of a sextortion cyber scam and expressed thoughts of self-harm. He had also reached out to his mother, Jill Harrington, but she unfortunately arrived at the scene too late to help.
Victim reporting extortion scam leads to deadly police shooting
“He was the Robin to my Batman, my partner in all things superhero and comics. He was my companion, and most importantly, as he described himself, my beloved son. He is now gone forever,” Harrington stated. “What crime did he commit? Being scared? Being victimized for asking for help?”
Harrington has voiced concerns regarding whether law enforcement took all necessary precautions to avoid the tragic outcome.
“This family has a history of military service, with a legacy of first responders. We understand that the use of force is sometimes necessary; however, it should not always be the first response. Deadly force should be the last resort, not the only option,” said U.S. Army Lt. Colonel David Carey, LaMorie’s stepfather.
“In light of a lifetime dedicated to service, I am left grappling with the sorrow of this senseless loss of life,” he added.
In the federal lawsuit filed on Thursday, the family asserts that the county did not adapt its emergency response sufficiently to protect LaMorie’s life.
Reportedly, none of the officers present, which included Joseph Riebau, Joel Rodriguez, and Cody Bostic, were equipped with Tasers, and there were no apparent attempts on that night to engage with Grassroots or Humanim, the mobile crisis units contracted by the county.
“The aggressive and disorganized approach characterized by officers armed with firearms but lacking appropriate less-lethal alternatives and mental health resources only exacerbated the situation,” the lawsuit states.
Autism advocates, including Rae Haight, a PhD candidate in autism studies at Towson University who is also autistic, have called for more substantial reforms.
“From my own experience, I apprehensively seek help, fearing harm instead of support. Many individuals with disabilities share this fear; they often worry more about what could happen if they reach out for assistance than the crisis they are facing,” Haight expressed.
RELATED: Attorney General’s Office finds no criminal wrongdoing in police shooting of autistic man
Howard County Police criminally cleared in shooting death of autistic man
“This ongoing issue of individuals with disabilities facing disproportionate and unnecessary use of force by law enforcement is well-documented,” stated attorney Jamie Strawbridge.
In response to the shooting, Howard County has procured additional Tasers, bringing the total to 330. However, this number still falls short of the 500 officers active in the department.
Meanwhile, an internal investigation by the police department continues.
County spokesperson Safa Hira remarked that the county does not provide comments on ongoing litigation.
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
