Family criticizes Fairfax Co. police for fatally shooting man suffering from mental health crisis

 

Fairfax County police fatally shot 26-year-old Jasper Aaron Lynch inside a McLean, Virginia residence. 

 

"We have a family member here who was having a bit of a psychotic break," the caller says. "He's here now. He's throwing some stuff right now, so if we can get a dispatch that would be really helpful."

So the cops went over to the address and shot the kid to death.

In one hand, Lynch can be seen holding a wine bottle, and in the other hand is a tribal mask.

Officers can be heard repeatedly telling Lynch to put the objects down. "It's alright, bud," one says. 

Lynch disregards the demands and throws the mask at the officers and then runs after them swinging a bottle.

So they killed him.

"Our son, Aaron, was experiencing a severe mental health crisis on July 7. He was scared and asked for both of the 911 calls that were made that day. We believe that the three police officers who answered the second 911 call could have, and should have, handled this far differently," the statement reads. "To respond to Aaron’s mental health crisis by shooting him at all, let alone multiple times, cannot be justified. We recognize that, at times, police officers face grave and unknown dangers in the line of duty, but that was not the case for that call at our home regarding our son. Aaron was about 5’ 6", slightly built, and holding just a bottle and a decorative mask.

"As parents, we mourn the heartbreaking loss of our son and are left with only memories and regret. Had we known there was any possibility that the police responding to the second 911 call would use lethal force against Aaron during a mental health crisis, we would not have involved them until a mental health counselor could be present, as was the case for the response to the first 911 call. We hope our efforts to find out more about this incident will, in the future, help families in similar situations avoid such a tragic outcome."

The officer who shot Lynch has been identified as First Class Edward George. He has been placed on administrative status.