Oklahoma City Police responding to a disturbance call killed a man Friday.
He has been identified by family members as Bennie Edwards – a Black man who struggled with a mental health diagnosis.
Edwards’ family members said he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Police say Edwards was carrying a knife and ran towards officers before they opened fire.
Oklahoma City Police Capt. Daniel Stewart said police tried to deescalate the confrontation but had no choice except to shoot.
“They used a taser which most of our officers are equipped with,” Stewart said. “Then attempted to use OC gas which is commonly known as pepper spray and that was not effective.”
Bystander video shows part of the encounter. In the video, three officers surround Edwards. He appears to run towards one officer and police immediately fire three shots.
Edwards then veers away from the police and runs away from them. The officers fire three more shots and he falls. Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the officers had minor injuries. Stewart says they are all on paid administrative leave.
Friday night, a crowd of around 100 protesters met at the steps of the Oklahoma City Police Department’s headquarters to denounce Edwards’ killing.
His niece, Ameerah Gaines, said her uncle “was loved.” She said he was out selling flowers when police arrived and she believes he was scared.
Rev. T Sheri Dickerson, executive director of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City, said she knew Edwards. She called him “a gentle soul” and did not believe he would attack police.
