Sassie Smith had run out of options.
On 2 January, her husband, Takar Smith, was talking to himself and making nonsensical remarks, a sign he was having another episode of schizophrenia, which had long strained their relationship. She was scared and wanted him to get treatment in a facility, so she walked a few blocks to a nearby Los Angeles police station for help.
Soon after, at least six armed officers entered her apartment where Takar, 45, was alone, unarmed and paranoid. Fifteen minutes later, while he was cornered in the kitchen, on his knees and now with a knife in his hand, two officers shot him, causing him to instantly collapse facedown. They handcuffed his motionless body. Takar was pronounced dead at the scene.
