The Alexandria Police Department (APD) released body-worn camera footage (warning: the video contains strong language and graphic images) of an officer involved shooting where police shot and killed Paul Behan Jr. in the stairwell outside his apartment on Aug. 12.
The footage follows police responding to Behan’s apartment for a welfare check after a coworker warned that he was armed and experiencing a mental health crisis following trouble at work. Behan was a lead technician at a hospital in D.C.
The video shows police asking Behan to answer the door and make sure that he’s not armed. While Behan said he was not armed, when the door opened was holding a rifle to his own head.
Police spent several minutes trying to talk to Behan and convince him to put the gun away. Police officers repeatedly begged Behan to put the gun away. They retreated away from the exterior of the apartment back to the doorway, talking with Behan the whole time.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Behan said.
“Please, don’t do it,” A police officer said.
Police said Behan went into the apartment, but emerged again shortly after.
APD stood outside the stairwell and continued to try to talk Behan out of the confrontation. Officers tried to talk to Behan about his troubles and promised they were going to get him help.
“I’ve saved people’s limbs,” Behan told officers. “I’ve saved lives.”
More police officers arrived at the scene and were positioned outside the stairwell. Behan told officers “there’s nothing you can do to change the outcome.”
“Your life means more than this,” the negotiator said. “Please, you’re telling me how you’re a great tech and you’ve saved lives, so I think it means more.”
“I give you my word,” Behan said. “I would not hurt you. I would never, ever hurt you.”
Later, when Behan is talking to a hostage negotiator, police shined a light into the stairwell. Behan told police to turn off the light and warned he’d shoot it out of they don’t. The negotiator said the light is there for the safety of police, but soon after the body camera footage showed police opening fire on Behan around 11:21 p.m. One police officer fired three shots, all of which hit Behan.
The APD video noted that the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney has ruled the officer’s actions were justified. An internal investigation is ongoing and the shooting will proceed to the Office of Professional Responsibility and the Office of the Alexandria Independent Policing Auditor.
An obituary for Behan describes his love of machines, including fixing cars, and riding dirt bikes, jet skis and more. Behan’s neighbor Shannon Uplinger recalled Behan as a friendly presence in the community offering car and health advice.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, reach out by calling or texting 988 or chat online to speak with a trained crisis counselor, available anytime, day or night,” APD said.
