LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police released officer body cam footage Wednesday from a fatal shooting April 20 in Louisville's Crescent Hill area, when officer Benjamin Klingenfus shot Ahtume McCollum after police said he tried to stab an officer.
LMPD received two 911 calls that day. The first came from someone across from the Arterburn Crossing apartment complex.
“He seems really angry and violent and extremely loud,” the caller said.
The second call came from a woman saying her neighbor, McCollum, was trying to get in.
“He just broke out my window,” she said.
Home security footage showed McCollum breaking into another apartment and taking a knife. Klingenfus and officer Cody Chapelle responded to the scene and confronted McCollum.
“They recognized immediately that he had a knife, and they told him, ‘Do not reach for the knife,’” said LMPD Deputy Chief Emily McKinley.
“You reach for that knife, I’m going to shoot you,” said Chapelle, as heard on video.
After officers tried to detain McCollum, he was taken to the ground. LMPD said the knife then fell out of his pocket.
“The subject reaches for the knife," McKinley said. "He begins to attempt to stab one of the officers two times in the vest. The knife does make contact with the officer’s vest."
She said the vest Chapelle was wearing likely saved his life. LMPD said the taser Klingenfus tried to use on McCollum was ineffective.
“At that time, that same officer discharged his handgun, striking the subject in the head,” McKinley said.
McCollum’s family released the following statement Wednesday:
"Ahtume McCollum was a loved son, brother, and father. A decorated veteran, Ahtume served in the United States Marine Corps between 2007 and 2011, at which time he was honorably discharged. A recipient of the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and a letter of Appreciation Rifle Qualification Badge as a Sharphooter, Ahtume lived with Bipolar II and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)."
"Ahtume served his loved ones and his country and for that we are ever grateful. We know so many in our community suffer with mental health challenges and wish for those that can to make donations to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to support the well-being of others."
As is standard, both officers were placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
“No office ever wants to use force, let alone deadly force,” McKinley said.
Prior to returning to duty, they’ll undergo a psychological assessment and receive any necessary training.
LMPD’s Public Integrity Unit will lead the criminal investigation. Kentucky State Police will also perform an investigative review.
The LMPD performance review board will conduct a post-incident tactical debrief with all involved members to assess performance improvement and training needs.
