PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — New details were released Tuesday after Philadelphia police say a knife-wielding man was shot and killed in the Mayfair section of the city last week.
The incident began around 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 when multiple 911 callers reported a man attempting to enter homes on the 4100 block of Tyson Avenue.
Responding officers located the man, later identified as 26-year-old Jamir Cave, and attempted to stop him. Police said Cave fled on foot along Frankford Avenue.
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The chase ended on the 7000 block of Frankford Avenue, where a struggle occurred between Cave and officers.
According to investigators, Cave was armed with a kitchen-style knife during the confrontation.
Chopper 6 was over the scene after a Philadelphia police officer fired a weapon in Mayfair.
A review of video evidence showed Cave holding the knife with the blade pointed forward, police said.
Investigators said one officer attempted to create distance but fell backward in the driveway of a storage facility.
Police said Cave then turned toward a second officer before advancing toward the fallen officer while still holding the knife.
At that point, both officers opened fire, striking and killing Cave.
The officer who fell suffered an elbow injury. No other injuries were reported.
Police identified the officers who fired their weapons as Thomas Catalano, a 12-year veteran of the department, and Christian Nguyen, who has served on the force for three years. Both are assigned to the 15th District.
Witnesses describe seeing a man running up and down Frankford Avenue and hearing an officer repeatedly yelling, “Drop the knife,” and then they heard shots ring out.
Family members say Cave was suffering from mental health issues.
“My son was innocent; he was innocent,” said his mother, Ebony Boyd.
Relatives told Action News they reported Cave missing earlier that day but said officers never responded. They also said Cave had recently been released from Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.
“The neighbor on Tyson [Avenue] called police because he was in her yard drinking water,” said Cave’s aunt, Moico Boyd.
Family members also dispute investigators’ claims that Cave was armed.
Police say body cameras were activated during the time of the shooting.
The officers involved have been assigned to administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
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