A man who struck officers with a broomstick was twice shot with Tasers that didn't work before he was killed in a police-involved shooting in Miami Gardens, officials said Tuesday.
Miami Gardens Police Chief Stephen Johnson said two officers deployed their Tasers on 25-year-old Lavall Hall shortly before he was killed Sunday by an officer who was also involved in a fatal 2013 shooting.
"This is a very long and exhausting case, there's a long road ahead of us," Johnson told reporters at a Tuesday night news conference, delayed for hours while Johnson spoke with Hall's family.
According to Johnson, Officer Peter Ehrlich responded to a call of a violent mentally disturbed man early Sunday when he encountered Hall.
Ehrlich made several attempts to communicate with Hall, who walked away. At the same time, Officer Eddo Trimino responded to the scene.
When Ehrlich tried to get out of his car, he was attacked by Hall with a 4-foot broom handle with exposed metal on the end, Johnson said. Hall fled the scene on foot and Trimino gave chase, Johnson said.
As the officers caught up to Hall, he physically attacked them, hitting Trimino with the broom handle.
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Trimino fired his Taser, which made contact with Hall but was ineffective, Johnson said. Ehrlich also fired his Taser, but it too was ineffective.
Hall struck Ehrlich again and fled the scene. Trimino again caught up to Hall and gave him several commands, which Hall ignored, Johnson said.
As Hall was once again combative with the broom stick, Trimino fired five shots at him, hitting him twice, once in the chest and once in the arm, Johnson said.
Fire Rescue workers responded but Hall was pronounced dead at the scene. Trimino was treated at the scene, while Ehrlich was hospitalized and received stitches on his head.
"They made every progressive effort to contact him, calm him down," Johnson said. "This is not something we in law enforcement like to be confronted with, it's a very difficult situation."
Johnson said both officers are certified for crisis intervention and are "seasoned veterans."Trimino is 34 and Ehrlich is 66, Johnson said.
It wasn't the first fatal police-involved shooting for Trimino, who shot and killed a homicide suspect who opened fire on him in 2013, Johnson said.
Hall's family, particularly his mother, has been critical of police in the wake of the shooting but have admitted he was having a schizophrenic episode. Johnson said police have responded to Hall's home since 2012, and said he has been Baker Acted.
Johnson said the shooting remains under investigation and said all evidence would be handed over to the State Attorney's Office.
"Based upon the facts as I have them, I think that the officers did the best that they could, confronted with the circumstances that they were encountered with," Johnson said.
