According to the Tucson Police Department on July 8, 2016, just after 4:30 p.m., officers with the Tucson Police Department Mental Health Support Team (MHST) and Operations Division West responded to a 911 call from the Mobile Acute Crisis Team (MAC Team) requesting assistance. Two of the officers were wearing plainclothes but were clearly marked as police officers. The third officer was wearing a Tucson Police Department uniform. The MHST officers are crisis intervention trained and specifically work in the community to address citizens dealing with mental illness. The MAC Team consists of civilians who provide face-to-face assessment and crisis intervention services throughout the community.
The members from the MAC Team advised they had a court order to serve a mental health emergency petition on an adult male who resided in a camper trailer located at 26 East Rillito Street. Upon arrival, the three officers learned the male was mute but was able to hear and understand conversations. They were advised the male communicated through writing or gestures. The three officers attempted contact with the male at the trailer for about ten to fifteen minutes. During that time, the officers made several announcements advising who they were, that they were there to check his welfare and for him to come to the door and talk to them. They did not receive a response from anyone inside. The officers were able to obtain a key to the trailer from a family member. Once they opened the door they again announced their presence but did not receive a response.
One MHST officer began to enter the home to check the welfare of the male with the other two officers following behind. The officers were in the residence for a brief period of time before the male came from the back of the trailer with what appeared to be two knives in his hands and advanced toward the officers. The three officers retreated from the trailer. Two officers were able to back away from the trailer and the male. The MHST officer was backed into a fence enclosing the front yard just outside the residence as the male continued to advance on him with at least one knife in hand. The officer was unable to escape the approaching male and discharged his duty weapon, striking the male. Officers immediately began rendering first aid to the male using their Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK) and requested paramedic assistance. Members from the Tucson Fire Department responded to the scene a short time later but the male Chris Magnus Chief of Police was pronounced deceased on scene. He has been identified as 30-year-old Abraham Smith. Next of kin have been notified.
The MHST officer who discharged his weapon has been identified as Ryder Schrage, a four year veteran of the Tucson Police Department.
Detectives from the Violent Crimes Section and the Office of Professional Standards responded to the scene continue the investigation. The Violent Crimes Section is conducting a criminal investigation into the incident. Additionally, the Office of Professional Standards is conducting a separate and parallel administrative investigation to examine the actions of department personnel in response to this incident. This is standard protocol in all officer involved shootings.
During the course of the investigation the detectives learned Mr. Smith had been armed with a broken piece of mirror in one hand and a 10”-12” kitchen knife in the other hand. The photographs have been provided below.
The Tucson Police Department will provide further as they become available. If you have additional information about this incident please call 88-CRIME.