Family sues county and officers over fatal autism response

A federal lawsuit has been filed against Howard County and three police officers involved in the March shooting death of Alexander LaMorie. The suit was announced Thursday by Jamie Strawbridge, an attorney representing the estate of LaMorie and his mother.

LaMorie, a 25-year-old man with autism, was killed at Patuxent Commons in Columbia. The lawsuit names the county and the three officers as defendants. It alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and state law.

Strawbridge stated that LaMorie called 911 for help during a crisis. He argued the county sent four armed officers without mental health specialists. "Rather than provide the modified emergency response services that Alex needed, Howard County sent four police officers armed with deadly weapons and no mental health resources," Strawbridge said.

The attorney claimed the officers had no plan for a less lethal approach. He noted that the team asked if anyone had a Taser before engaging. "No one did," Strawbridge said. He described the encounter as a force-first approach that escalated the situation.

Police records indicate LaMorie was carrying a knife when officers found him outside the apartment complex. He was shot 12 times while walking toward the officers. Authorities said he refused to drop the weapon.

The Maryland Attorney General identified the officers involved as Joel Rodriguez, a two-year veteran, Cody Bostic, a six-year veteran, and Joseph Riebau, a 10-year veteran. None of the officers faced criminal charges. Body camera footage of the incident was released in April.

The shooting prompted the county to review its protocols. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and former Police Chief Gregory Der oversaw the review. In May, the county formed a task force to address mental health crises. The group reviewed existing police training and procedures in July.