Deputies responded to reports of a disturbance at a home. Deputies came in contact with Blackbrun upon arrival, and claim he was armed with a knife. Blackbrun reportedly refused to drop the knife, and one deputy deployed a taser followed by pepper spray. Blackburn then ran off on foot. He eventually returned to the scene and a taser was deployed again. Deputies claim Blackburn then raised the knife and allegedly lunged at them. A deputy then shot and killed Blackburn.
Agency: Alcorn County Sheriff's Office
Motive: mental health crisis
Confrontation Type: Mental Health/Welfare Check
Service Call: Yes
Body Camera: no
Official Disposition: Pending investigation
Victim Name: Robert Alan Blackburn
Death Date: June 23, 2021
County: Alcorn
Geography: Rural
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Race: Unknown race
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: knife
Threat Level: attack
Fleeing: foot
Washington Post Database ID: 6994