Man with dementia shot dead by police in Alabama

“She was just looking for help, she was looking for support,” Mann said.

A Muscle Shoals Police Department statement released Thursday said three officers found Parrish in his kitchen with a steak knife in his hand after arriving at his apartment. The statement said body camera footage showed officers asking the man to put the knife down about 102 times over about eight minutes.

The statement said Parrish then attacked one of the officers and two officers deployed their Tasers. When Parrish did not give up the attack, an unidentified officer fired his weapon, the statement said.

Mann said the family has requested body camera footage so they can determine whether the shooting was justified, but has not yet received it.

“I hope that if it shows what they say, they will allow me to view the body camera footage to clarify the matter,” Mann said.

Colbert County Coroner Justin Gasque confirmed that Parrish was taken to Helen Keller Hospital and pronounced dead.

Muscle Shoals is a small town in Alabama near the Tennessee River in the northern part of the state.

“This is an unfortunate incident that has taken a toll on MSPD officers, the man’s family and the community,” the Muscle Shoals Police Department said in a statement. The department said the officers acted “consistent with their training.”

An investigation with the State Bureau of Investigation is ongoing. According to the Muscle Shoals Police Department, the officers involved were initially placed on leave, but have since been given permission by police to return to work.

Riddle reported from Montgomery.