Miami officer cleared in March 2024 shooting of man in mental health crisis, prosecutors say
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office has cleared a City of Miami police officer who shot a man experiencing a mental health episode in March of 2024, stating the use of force was justified, according to an eight-page memo released Thursday.
Donald Armstrong was shot six times by officer Kassandra Mercado on March 7, 2024, after his mother called police for help.
Body camera footage showed Mercado firing at Armstrong and prosecutors said he was armed with an object they believe could have caused serious bodily harm.
"It just, it just changed my life forever," Armstrong said. He now lives with chronic pain and lasting injuries.
Memo details officer's actions and evidence reviewed
According to prosecutors, evidence reviewed included witness accounts, 911 recordings and body camera video.
Ten officers responded to the scene. Seven had activated body cameras, two did not have one, and Mercado --who fired the shots -- did not turn hers on.
Video footage showed Armstrong holding an object later identified as a homemade metal weapon fashioned with a screwdriver. Officers issued commands for him to drop it and he was tased twice.
The memo also states Armstrong made statements such as "shoot in the heart" and "I am God," and that he moved off a porch toward Mercado, swinging his arms, prompting her to fire.
Armstrong speaks out, attorney calls for reform
Reacting to the decision, Armstrong expressed frustration.
"We in the communities where I come from we never expect justice. So it's not surprised," he said in an interview with CBS News Miami.
His attorney, Larry Handfield, criticized the handling of the situation and called for better responses to mental health emergencies.
"It's like we invest in police, make better policing, better law enforcement to protect and serve. We need to make sure that when there is a call for mental health crisis that we have the appropriate people who are trying to respond," Handfield said.
Lawsuit planned, no response from police department
Armstrong's mother has since passed away. Handfield confirmed that legal action against the department is moving forward.
CBS News Miami reached out to the City of Miami Police Department for comment on Mercado's employment status and her being cleared but received no response.
