“Tucson man with knives shot by off-duty officer: Victim identified”

By Trend News Line 2024-05-25 19:45:00.

Off-duty Tucson Police Officer Involved in Shooting Incident

In a recent development, video footage has emerged of an off-duty Tucson police officer, Noah Wade, involved in a shooting incident with a man identified as Matt Laswell. The incident took place at an apartment complex on East Skyline Drive, where Officer Wade was off-duty and responded to calls for help.

Details of the Incident

Officer Wade, a 5-year veteran of the department, was alerted to signs of distress and calls for help coming from outside the apartment complex. Simultaneously, 911 dispatchers received a call from a resident, Matt Laswell, reporting a burglary in progress. Laswell expressed concerns that people were trying to break into his apartment and harm him. The dispatcher, upon hearing Laswell’s statements, changed the call to a check welfare due to suspected mental health crisis.

Escalation of the Situation

As deputies arrived at the scene, they found Laswell outside his apartment holding two large kitchen knives. In the ensuing confrontation, Officer Wade shot Laswell, resulting in injuries. A witness at the scene, a woman walking her dog, mentioned that Laswell did not advance towards the officer with a knife, raising questions about the use of force.

Legal Ramification and Medical Evaluation

Laswell was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and has been charged with aggravated assault. Additionally, a mental health evaluation has been requested to assess Laswell’s state of mind at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing, with the final report set to be forwarded to the Pima County Attorney’s Office for review.

Community Response and Ongoing Investigations

The release of the video footage has sparked discussions within the community about police response to individuals in mental health crises. Calls for transparency and accountability in such situations have been voiced by advocacy groups and concerned citizens. The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Conclusion

As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to come to light regarding the events leading up to the shooting incident. The role of law enforcement in handling mental health crises and the use of force will likely be scrutinized in the aftermath of this incident. Stay tuned for updates as the story develops..

– Tucson man knives shot off-duty officer
– Tucson man shot off-duty officer with knives.