– Tucson man with knives shot by off-duty police officer
– Man with knives in Tucson shot by off-duty cop.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : An off-duty Tucson police officer was involved in a shooting incident captured on video, raising questions about his actions during a possible mental health crisis. The footage, released as part of an external investigation by the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team, shows Officer Noah Wade responding to distress calls at an apartment complex on East Skyline Drive on April 17.
Wade, a 5-year veteran of the department, was off-duty when he heard cries for help and signs of a possible burglary. He instructed a friend to call 911 as he went to investigate the situation. Meanwhile, dispatchers received a call from a resident, Matt Laswell, reporting a burglary in progress. Laswell claimed that individuals were attempting to break into his apartment and harm him, mentioning one suspect wearing a gas mask and hanging from a fan.
The dispatcher, concerned about Laswell’s mental state, changed the call to a welfare check. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Wade had already shot Laswell, who emerged from his apartment wielding two large kitchen knives. A witness, walking her dog in the complex, stated that Laswell did not approach Wade with a knife.
As the off-duty officer did not have a body camera, the exact sequence of events leading to the shooting remains unclear. Laswell was transported to a local hospital and charged with aggravated assault. A mental health evaluation was also requested as part of the ongoing investigation. The final report will be submitted to the Pima County Attorney’s Office as per standard procedure.
The incident has sparked debate about police response to mental health crises and the use of force in such situations. The community awaits further updates on the investigation and the outcome of the case. Stay tuned for more developments as the story unfolds..
– Tucson man shot by off-duty officer
– Tucson man with knives shot by officer.
