HOWARD COUNTY, MD. (WBFF) — Howard officials often say the county is a beacon of inclusivity, a leader in fostering community relations between its police department and residents via a number of special programs.
The county’s safety buffers meant to protect its most vulnerable residents were not enough to prevent the March 1 police killing of Alexander LaMorie, a 25-year-old Columbia man with autism. He was shot at least nine times by Howard County Police officers after he refused to drop a knife during a wellness check at his apartment complex, which is specifically designed for people with disabilities.
LaMorie’s death has garnered widespread local and national attention, with advocacy groups such as the Autism Society of Maryland calling the incident a “profoundly tragic event.”
Last fall, the Howard County Police Department held simulated traffic stops, in partnership with the nonprofit Pathfinders for Autism, to help officers and people with autism practice being pulled over. Howard County Police Lt. John Lloyd told The Baltimore Sun at the time that the experience helped officers learn to be “patient and understanding” since disabilities aren’t often visible.
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