By Police1 Staff
FLORENCE, Ala. — Dash cam video has been released capturing a standoff and officer-involved shooting after police responded to a man seeking suicide by cop.
WHNT reports Florence police officers arrived to the scene October 8 after receiving a 911 call of a man with a gun. The caller reported the suspect had approached his family and pointed a rifle at them as they were driving by.
Police commanded the man at the scene to drop his weapon multiple times. An officer then fired two shots – striking the pavement behind the man.
After the suspect surrendered, the weapon was discovered to be a cane draped in clothing, according to WAFF. The man told officers he purposely made the cane appear to be a rifle with the hope that police would kill him.
The man sought the suicide due to crippling back pain he claimed he could no longer endure.
No one was injured in the incident. The man was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. The officer was placed on leave, per routine policy, as officials investigated the incident.