ONEIDA, N.Y., April 1 (UPI) -- Authorities in New York state say they believe a teenager set himself up to be shot by police because he wanted to end his life.
State police said Justin Arnold, 17, of Cazenovia was shot to death Thursday afternoon after he called 911 to falsely report an armed carjacking, led police on a chase and then pointed what turned out to be a pellet gun at officers in Canastota. He left behind a brief, typed message in his car in which he said goodbye to his family and said he was sorry, the Utica Observer-Dispatch reported Friday.
State police officials say it appeared Arnold's death likely was a planned-out "suicide by cop," the newspaper said.
"That's pretty much going to get you a known response, so I definitely feel that you can utilize the term 'suicide by cop,'" state police Capt. Troy Little said Friday.
The teen gave no reasons for his actions, Little said. Authorities had found no signs he had mental issues or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Arnold had been home-schooled, had just taken his GED exam recently and was taking classes part-time at Morrisville State College, the newspaper said.
