Double-Amputee Carrying Knife Fatally Shot By Police

On Jan. 26, police fatally shot Anthony Lowe Jr., a 36-year-old double amputee. This has led to protests over excessive and lethal violence by U.S. authorities.

“They murdered my son in a wheelchair-with no legs,” said Lowe’s mother.

On Jan. 30, the Huntington Park Police Department, in L.A., spoke on the incident. They stated that their officers answered to a call regarding a stabbing on Jan. 26.

The stabbing victim told authorities that he was attacked by a man in a wheelchair. The supposed assailant had “dismounted the wheelchair, ran to the victim without provocation, and stabbed him in the side of the chest.” This was done with a 12-inch butcher knife prior to him leaving the location in the wheelchair.

Police found the alleged assailant, later named as Lowe, a short distance away. He had a knife in his possession. Huntington authorities say that their officers tried to detain the man. However, he wouldn’t listen to verbal commands. They also said that he “threatened to advance or throw the knife at the officers,” and that he was tasered twice.

“The suspect continued to threaten officers with the butcher knife, resulting in an officer-involved shooting,” a statement noted.

On Friday, the L.A. Sheriff’s Department said that the suspect was shot in the “upper torso.” He “was treated on scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics and pronounced deceased.”

The officers who were involved in the matter have been placed on paid administrative leave as an investigation takes place.

Lowe’s legs had been amputated last year. This happened after an incident with law enforcement officials, last year, in Texas, his sister said.

Representatives for his family reported that Lowe had been depressed over the loss of his legs. They added that he was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was shot.

A grainy recording of the occurrence is circulating online. It seems to show Lowe getting out of the wheelchair and going away from officers with what seemed to be a big knife. A police vehicle then obstructed the view.

Now, many are demanding that the officers involved be held accountable for Lowe’s death.

“We want specific justice,” said the organizer of the Coalition for Community Control Over the Police.

“This situation is worse than George Floyd. When these videos go out, it’s going to be all bad,” said Lowe’s mother, Dorothy.

Relatives haven’t made any remarks on Lowe’s supposed involvement in the stabbing matter.