The 49-year-old man who shot an officer’s gun during a mental health crisis has been charged.
Brian Lamont Armstrong is charged with three counts of resisting and obstructing police, assault with a dangerous weapon, and attempting to disarm a police officer. He also will be charged as a habitual offender.
Officers Joshua Millikin and Joshua Barrix responded to the intersection of Wabash Avenue and Capital Avenue NE at 4 p.m. last Thursday, May 26, where Armstrong was dancing in traffic, intentionally trying to be hit by passing cars. The officers determined he was having a mental health crisis. They evaluated the situation and tried to de-escalate it by telling Armstrong they wanted to help him.
Armstrong continued acting and speaking irrationally, and officers decided to take him into protective custody and take him to the hospital for evaluation, as he would not go willingly.
Armstrong resisted, and fought with the officers. During the struggle, he tried to take Millikin’s gun. He was able to pull the trigger, and the gun shot through its holster. It appears that the shot grazed Millikin’s leg, causing a minor injury.
Officers were able to arrest the man, who was not injured. The officer sought treatment at a local hospital. Police placed Armstrong in Calhoun County Jail, and he will receive mental health care.