Phoenix police have shot and killed a rock-wielding man over the holiday weekend. According to police, Lonnie Nielson first threw rocks at a sergeant’s police car as it was waiting at a traffic signal near the police station on Saturday morning. Nielsen was said to be on the sidewalk, yelling at the officer. By the time the sergeant called in for assistance Nielsen was at the station a short distance away on 39th Avenue and Cactus Roads. Police say Nielsen threw more rocks, hitting the front door of the station and one other officer. The injured officer shot Nielsen, who was taken to a local hospital. Nielsen was later pronounced dead due to his injuries.
According to Nielsen’s family, when they last saw him that day he had been making “suicidal statements.”
If that’s true, it is quite possible that Nielsen chose “suicide by cop” to end his life. But regardless of whether or not that actually is true, the police still have agency and options other than resorting to deadly force time and again. Especially with persons who may be experiencing mental health challenges or who are unarmed. Or those who are armed less lethally than those with automatic weapons and police tactical training.
Nielsen’s death is among the most recent during the three days of Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/the day after Christmas, where cops in the U.S. have killed more people than cops in Germany this entire year.
Happy Holidays from the good ole U.S. of A!