Less than 10 seconds after officers opened the door, police shot Yong Yang in his parents’ Koreatown home while he was holding a knife during a bipolar episode.

Less than 10 seconds after officers opened the door, police shot Yong Yang in his parents’ Koreatown home while he was holding a knife during a bipolar episode.

Parents in Los Angeles’ Koreatown called for mental health help in the middle of their son’s bipolar episode this month. Clinical personnel showed up — and so did police shortly after.

Police fatally shot Yong Yang, 40, who had a knife in his hand, less than 10 seconds after officers opened the door to his parents’ apartment where he had locked himself in, newly released bodycam video shows.

Now the parents of Yang, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder around 15 years ago, have told NBC News exclusively that they are disputing part of the account captured on bodycam, in which police recount a clinician’s saying Yang was violent before the shooting on May 2.

  • Decq@lemmy.world
    9·
    6 months ago

    Well maybe, but I still don’t think you should assume of cops they react this way. They should have been trained in deescalation… Not shoot at the first sign of a threat. Also I think you should turn the blame around. The cops knew what they were called in for, so should have entered with more care.

    • BombOmOm@lemmy.worldEnglish
      220·
      6 months ago

      I still don’t think you should assume of cops they react this way

      If one threatens others with death or serious bodily harm, they should expect lethal force as a response. You are not the victim when you are threatening the lives of innocents.

      • Decq@lemmy.world
        14·
        6 months ago

        Jesus no! You don’t deal with mental health patients this way! You should have started a dialogue and keep him occupied until he calms down and possibly comes out himself. And if he doesn’t you break down the door, step back and reevaluate the situation. Not just barge in and shoot him.