ST LOUIS, MO - On Thursday, May 1st, authorities with the St. Louis County Police Department released new body camera footage of officers fatally shooting an armed man during an attempted arrest.
According to KSDK, investigators said that on the morning of March 21st, two St. Louis County officers went to Aleksander Lanis' home to arrest him. Lanis, a doctor, previously worked at Mercy Hospital in Missouri. In the briefing video, a police spokesperson said, "The investigation was related to a reported harassment first-degree and tampering with a motor vehicle in the south county precinct".
In the video, Lanis can be seen not complying with the officers' verbal commands to step out of the house as he was being placed under arrest. In a matter of seconds, the civil situation turned violent and a struggle ensued into the house. Investigators said when Lanis resisted, he also displayed a handgun.
Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Lure with the St. Louis County Police Department said, "While fighting for control of Mr. Lanis' handgun, officers continued giving commands to him to drop the weapon." One of the officers attempted to de-escalate then encounter and pulled out his taser, but it was ineffective as Lanis continued to resist officers.
One of the officers shouted, "No! No! Drop the gun! Drop the gun." The officers fired a total of 12 shots. Lanis did not fire his weapon and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Tim Fitch, a former St. Louis County Police Chief, councilman, and current police consultant, said, "I'm glad they had their body cameras rolling. I think it shows the public a good insight as to what officers face almost every day."
FirstAlert4 reported that after the body camera footage was released, the Smith family, the in-laws of Lanis, said in a statement:
"Our family was able to view the body camera footage of the tragic events that unfolded that day. We were deeply saddened by the choices Aleksander made in his final moments, and we are grateful to the officers who gave him every opportunity to choose a different outcome. We have learned this is often how untreated mental illness ends, and we encourage anyone struggling to listen to their loved ones and seek the help they need. Our hearts and energy are now focused on raising the child left behind from this tragedy."
At the time of the fatal shooting, St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory said, "They did what they had to do to resolve the incident. Our officers are okay, one sustained a minor injury".
Neighbors of Lanis said that the man kept to himself. One neighbor, Angie Boaz said, "When I did pass, really no eye contact was ever made much, so I really didn't know much about him". Other neighbors said Lanis was going through a divorce. Records indicate that he owns the home he was located at.
The officers involved in the shooting were 30-years-old and 22-years-old; one with seven years on the force and the other with one year of law enforcement experience.
According to KSDK, investigators said that on the morning of March 21st, two St. Louis County officers went to Aleksander Lanis' home to arrest him. Lanis, a doctor, previously worked at Mercy Hospital in Missouri. In the briefing video, a police spokesperson said, "The investigation was related to a reported harassment first-degree and tampering with a motor vehicle in the south county precinct".
In the video, Lanis can be seen not complying with the officers' verbal commands to step out of the house as he was being placed under arrest. In a matter of seconds, the civil situation turned violent and a struggle ensued into the house. Investigators said when Lanis resisted, he also displayed a handgun.
Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Lure with the St. Louis County Police Department said, "While fighting for control of Mr. Lanis' handgun, officers continued giving commands to him to drop the weapon." One of the officers attempted to de-escalate then encounter and pulled out his taser, but it was ineffective as Lanis continued to resist officers.
One of the officers shouted, "No! No! Drop the gun! Drop the gun." The officers fired a total of 12 shots. Lanis did not fire his weapon and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Tim Fitch, a former St. Louis County Police Chief, councilman, and current police consultant, said, "I'm glad they had their body cameras rolling. I think it shows the public a good insight as to what officers face almost every day."
FirstAlert4 reported that after the body camera footage was released, the Smith family, the in-laws of Lanis, said in a statement:
"Our family was able to view the body camera footage of the tragic events that unfolded that day. We were deeply saddened by the choices Aleksander made in his final moments, and we are grateful to the officers who gave him every opportunity to choose a different outcome. We have learned this is often how untreated mental illness ends, and we encourage anyone struggling to listen to their loved ones and seek the help they need. Our hearts and energy are now focused on raising the child left behind from this tragedy."
At the time of the fatal shooting, St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory said, "They did what they had to do to resolve the incident. Our officers are okay, one sustained a minor injury".
Neighbors of Lanis said that the man kept to himself. One neighbor, Angie Boaz said, "When I did pass, really no eye contact was ever made much, so I really didn't know much about him". Other neighbors said Lanis was going through a divorce. Records indicate that he owns the home he was located at.
The officers involved in the shooting were 30-years-old and 22-years-old; one with seven years on the force and the other with one year of law enforcement experience.
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