Oct 24, 2024
Editor's Note -- The body-worn camera footage of the incident may be disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. This story includes references to suicidal ideations. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, reach out by calling or texting 988 to speak with a crisis counselor. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) -- On Thursday, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) released the body-worn camera footage and made an update about an incident that happened in August during which police shot and killed a man who was armed with a gun. In the update on Oct. 24, APD Cpt. Jason North said the incident is still going through an internal investigation but at this time the commonwealth's attorney has not charged the officer. Earlier this year on Aug. 12, the department received a 911 call from a coworker and friend of 61-year-old Paul Gabriel Behan, Jr. The coworker reported Behan had been threatening suicide that evening after being suspended at work the previous day. He was also undergoing issues with his wife at the time, the coworker noted. A transcript of the 911 call between the coworker and APD. (Courtesy of the Alexandria Police Department via Youtube/AlexandriaVAPD) He asked officers to conduct a well-being check at the Parkside at Alexandria condo complex, and two officers were sent to the complex at 5101 Maris Ave., along with a supervisor. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Alexandria police shoot, kill man armed with gun, police say “The caller stated he had made very concerning statements about harming himself and advised he was armed with at least two guns,” APD wrote in a statement to DC News Now shortly after the incident. The coworker also said he was under the influence of alcohol and slurring his words. The body-worn camera footage from the supervisors shows officers first making contact with Behan shortly before 11 p.m. that night. They knocked on his apartment door and asked to speak with him. Behan said he did not have a gun and that he would come out, but remained inside his apartment. Officers advised him to come out and speak with him with his hands up, so they could ensure he was not armed. Behan asked why they were there and the two officers said they received a call that people were worried about him. When he eventually came out, he was armed with a gun. Body-worn camera footage from an Alexandria Police Department officer shows Paul Behan emerging from his apartment, armed with a gun. (Courtesy of the Alexandria Police Department via Youtube/AlexandriaVAPD) The officers retreated and spoke to him from outside while he stayed at the top of the stairs. "I'm going to ask you to put the gun down," one officer said. "That's not going to happen," Behan responded, about three minutes after officers first knocked on his door. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man shot, killed by Alexandria police on Maris Ave identified At one point, he pointed his gun at the three officers, who took cover. The supervisor called for more officials to respond at the scene, including officers, supervisors and a hostage negotiator. In total, 11 sworn officers were involved, North noted. Alexandria Fire and EMS officials were dispatched and waiting nearby. The negotiator tried to get Behan to put the gun down. "Paul, I know you told me earlier you don't want to hurt us - you don't want to hurt anyone here, okay? ... Paul, you are a good man," she said a few minutes into the negotiation. At 11:21 p.m., he reportedly aimed his gun at the officers for a second time. One officer fired three times at Behan, all of which struck him. The gun that was recovered from the scene. (Courtesy of the Alexandria Police Department via Youtube/AlexandriaVAPD) After taking the gun away from him, medics were allowed to respond and pronounced Behan dead at 11:36 p.m., nearly 40 minutes after officers first arrived at the scene. North said the officer who shot Behan was a nine-year veteran and trained as a hostage negotiator. No one else involved was hurt, North noted. After a review of the Northern Virginia Critical Incident Response Team's (CIRT) investigation, the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney ruled the officer's actions were justified and that his use of force was "objectively reasonable under the circumstances," according to APD. An internal investigation is still ongoing and no conclusions have been drawn.
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