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Officer Stabbed, K9 Attacked in Mental Health Crisis Response
23 Apr
Summary
- An Aurora officer was stabbed multiple times in the head by a man during a mental health crisis call.
- The officer's K9 partner, Cyrus, was also stabbed but is expected to recover.
- The suspect, experiencing a mental health crisis, died after officers used tasers and foam-tipped bullets.
An Aurora police officer continues to recover in the hospital after sustaining multiple head wounds two weeks ago. The officer, Mark Moore, was responding to a 911 call on April 9 concerning a 23-year-old man experiencing a mental health crisis. The man, Amare Garlington, was reportedly armed with a large knife and threatening himself and family members.
Despite crisis negotiators' efforts, Garlington ran toward officers with the knife, stabbing Moore's K9 partner, Cyrus, before attacking Officer Moore. Moore discharged his firearm, fatally wounding Garlington. Both Moore and Cyrus received prompt medical attention. Cyrus, who had recently battled cancer, is expected to recover fully.
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain described the event as tragic and a reflection of a national mental health crisis. Investigations into the police shooting by the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team and APD's response are ongoing. The release of body camera footage is pending Officer Moore's recovery and ability to provide a statement.
