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Police in Calumet City were defending their actions Wednesday after officers shot and killed a 15-year-old boy, who has a form of autism, after he threatened them with a knife.

     Stephon Watts’ family said he suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome — a high-functioning form of autism — and attention deficit disorder.

     According to the story at http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/01/boy-15-shot-dead-by-police-in-calumet-city/, some witnesses claimed the boy was only holding a butter knife. Police would only describe it as a “kitchen knife.”

     Calumet City Police Chief Edward Gilmore said the boy cut a police officer through his shirt sleeve with a “kitchen knife.”

     “I think they did everything they possibly could to avoid this,” Gilmore said. “It’s unfortunate that we had to get to this situation.”

     The boy’s mother, Danelene Powell-Watts, was screaming, livid, and inconsolable after her son was killed. She was furious that officers used deadly force against her son this time rather than subduing him with a stun gun.

     “They shot my son,” she yelled at officers as she was blocked from entering the Calumet City police station. “Every last one of you know my son has autism.”

     Gilmore said police had been called to the home 10 times since 2010 to deal with the boy. Stephon’s father reportedly called police again Wednesday morning after the teen had become aggressive.

    “We tried to do everything we could to keep him from being a victim, as he was an offender. He chose to be an offender,” Gilmore said.

    The chief said police were called to the home to get Stephon under control, as they had been before. But that didn’t work, he said.

    “When he slashed the officer’s arm, the officer felt his life was in jeopardy and he had nothing else to do, but to defend himself,” Gilmore said.

     Stephon’s family said police have used a stun gun on him in the past.

    “They didn’t have to murder him. This is nothing but murder and they shoot to kill,” Powell-Watts said. “He had a butter knife and … my husband said that he lunged at the police officer.”

     Stephon’s uncle said police had subdued his nephew with stun guns before.

     “They didn’t have to shoot him. They could have tasered the child. He’s only 15 years old,” Wayne Watts said. “They could have tased him, like they did him before, took him to the hospital and he would have been fine and that’s what I want to know. Why couldn’t they do that to him so that he could still be breathing with us right now?”

     Gilmore said a stun gun wasn’t used because the lead officer did not have a stun gun.

     Five officers responded to the Watts home after Stephon’s father called police, according to Gilmore. Two entered the house, heading to the basement where they found Stephon. One of those two officers did have a stun gun with him.

     “Unfortunately today, when he slashed the officer’s arm, the officer felt his life was in jeopardy and he had nothing else to do, but defend himself,” Gilmore said.

     The boy’s family said police should have used a stun gun and spared his life, especially since they’d been to the home before and knew what to expect.

     Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.

     Gilmore said a year ago, all of the officers in the department went through a three-day autism awareness program to learn how to handle calls involving people with autism.

     Dr. Louis Kraus, professor and section chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center, questioned whether deadly force was really necessary.

     “With everything that they’ve done before, they should have known before going in what they were dealing with. And, you know, the goal really should have been to have gotten this child to a hospital,” Kraus said.

     He said people with autism can frequently become aggressive, but not because they are trying to hurt someone.

     “What we know is that, when they get anxious – probably more commonly than the typical person when they get anxious – they might lash out; not with the intention of doing harm, but simply because of how frightened they are,” Kraus said.

     Calumet City Alderman Brian Wilson had questions about the shooting as well. “I think less deadly means could have been used,” Wilson said.

     Meanwhile, Illinois State Police are investigating the shooting.

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The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) is urging all Michigan residents to contact their legislators about pending legislation that would repeal the state’s switchblade/automatic knife ban and reduce a state ban on fixed blades, an AKTI news release reported. 

    Passage of HB 5544 would add the Wolverine State to the growing number of states that do not outlaw automatics. It also would add Michigan to the states where AKTI has successfully helped eliminate or clarify terms that are not defined or are too confusing for consistent enforcement.

    Michigan Rep. Frank Foster explained, “HB 5544 provides clarity and simplicity for citizens of this state, visitors, especially those involved in the outdoor pursuits, as well as law enforcement, with respect to knives. It eliminates archaic terms, such as dirk and stiletto, and makes clear that a violation of the law occurs if a person with criminal intent carries any knife.”

    At the same time, he added, it would eliminate the 1950s-era bans on automatic knives and prevent the misapplication of the law to various designs which have emerged in the decades since.

    If passed, HB 5544 also would greatly restrict the existing ban on fixed blades. It would change Section 227 regarding “illegal fixed blades.” The terms “dirk” and “stiletto” would be removed. Double-edged, non-folding instruments would be illegal if carried concealed except if a person is in his own home, place of business or on property he owns, or is in transit between any of those locations. There is also an exemption if the double-edged, non-folding knife is carried for hunting, fishing, trapping or if used as a tool in the course of the person’s trade, occupation or hobby. All other fixed-blade prohibitions reportedly would be removed by the bill, too.

    For links to more information or how to find your legislator, visit www.AKTI.org.

For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb042212#BL1SU.