ST. LOUIS — A man was shot and killed by an officer after he lunged at police with a knife Wednesday afternoon, police say.
A statement from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said a stand-off was initiated which then led to an officer-involved shooting.
St. Louis police and the Force Investigation Unit responded near the 1200 block of Hodiamont at about 8:30 a.m. in the West End neighborhood, according to a St. Louis police spokesperson.
Police were attempting to take the man into custody for felony warrants. In an afternoon update, police said he was wanted for assault, unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest.
The 61-year-old suspect, who lived alone, barricaded himself inside a residence, according to police. After attempts to get him outside, police backed off and the SWAT Team was called at about 10:30 a.m.
Police said the suspect put the two surveillance robots in two different rooms which prevented the officers from watching his movements. He continued to hide and refused to come out.
“He refused to come out and barricaded himself in the apartment. After several attempts to try to get him out, the officers backed off and called in our swat team for negotiations,” said Lieutenant John Green.
SWAT officers then entered the apartment and made contact with the man, who was in the bathroom holding a large butcher knife, according to a Thursday morning update from police. Officers used tear gas, tasers and bean bags, but they appeared to have no effect.
The suspect then left the bathroom and charged with the knife toward officers who were just outside the bathroom in the hallway, according to the update.
A 32-year-old St. Louis officer with eight years of service on the police force fired several shots. According to Green, the suspect was only struck once.
Police said that medical aid was provided until EMS workers arrived. The man was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have not released his name.
“My mom watched his two 9-year-old twins...his 12- and 15-year-olds often, Marwa Mohamed, the man’s friend, said.
"Some officers went through a window," Mohamed said. "The guy didn’t speak English, nor could he understand them...he would not harm anybody.”
“The police wouldn’t let us go in and bring the man out peacefully. We were there just trying to save that man’s life. They didn’t have to shoot him and I think it could have been avoided,” Veii Kauaria, a community activist with "Organization for Black Struggle” said.
Green said in the press conference that officers did all they could before using lethal force during the incident.
Green was not sure if officers have been called to the apartment before. But according to neighbors, the Missouri Department of Social Services took the suspect's children several months ago.
The Force Investigation Unit is investigating the shooting. Police said the SWAT officer who fired the fatal gunshot was wearing a body camera at the time, which will be reviewed.
No officers were injured in the incident.
The incident Wednesday afternoon marked the third time St. Louis police shot someone in 2022, according to 5 On Your Side data.
Correction: Sept. 12, 2022
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the number of times St. Louis police shot someone in 2022. It has been updated with the correct number.