ORLANDO, Fla. — Body camera footage released by the Orlando Police Department on Thursday shows officers pleading with a 74-year-old veteran to drop his gun after officials said he threatened to harm himself and law enforcement.
“I personally will do whatever I gotta do to help you,” one officer is hear saying in the video. “We both served right? We’re brothers. Brothers don’t leave each other behind.”
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When officers responded to a home on the 3100 block of Cashmere Drive, they said William Sellers, 74, was in the home armed with a pistol.
After 20 minutes of trying to convince Sellers to drop his gun, police said Sellers made “threatening” movements toward the officers and six of the responding law enforcement agents fired at him.
Investigators said Sellers was hit at least three times and died from his injuries.
Investigators said Sellers called a crisis line Thursday morning stating that he was contemplating suicide. They said he told the crisis line operator that, “if police get called there’s going to be blood.”
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“Put the gun down and let us help you,” one officer is heard yelling to Sellers before the shooting.
“Come on man, we don’t want to shoot you,” another pleads.
See the footage below:
Investigators said in total four Orlando police officers and two Orange County deputies opened fire on Sellers just before 9 a.m. All of those officers are now on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the shooting.
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“They tried to de-escalate the situation but he made threatening statements on the phone and then made movements at the scene,” Orange County Sheriff John Mina said.
None of the officers were injured.
“It’s a tragic situation,” Mina said.
Investigators urged anyone who is in crisis to reach out for help, and to leave firearms indoors if police respond.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255.
OPD officers and OCSO deputies were involved in a shooting with an armed man in mental crisis. Sheriff John Mina called it a "tragic situation." He urged anyone who needs help to get it and to "leave the firearms inside and not approach law enforcement with a deadly firearm." pic.twitter.com/NAbVBZ4kWD
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) August 12, 2021
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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.
RIGHT NOW: OPD’s Media Relations team is headed to the scene of an officer-involved shooting in the 3100 block of Cashmere Drive. The subject is a man in his 70’s. Media should stage at Avenue C and Cashmere. Also, monitor our Twitter & Facebook feeds for additional updates. pic.twitter.com/6absr1uBV1
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) August 12, 2021
See a map of the scene below:
