An Affton man who was shot by a St. Louis County police officer Oct. 1 after refusing officers’ commands to drop a gun and sword he was holding has died, according to police, who say it appears to be a case of “suicide by cop.”
Joshua Lanflisi, 38, who resided in the 7700 block of Harlan Street, died Friday of his injuries, police said.
Lanflisi, who was alone that morning, was the caller/reporting party who called 911.
A third-party witness observed the entire encounter of the suspect with officers as they arrived at the residence, and the description of the encounter given by the witness matched the description given by officers on the scene.
Further investigation inside the residence led to a suicide note written in marker on Lanflisi’s bathroom mirror, according to police.
Police responded at roughly 6:37 a.m. and attempted to make contact with Lanflisi by knocking on the front door of the residence. When they received no answer, they peered through a front window and observed Lanflisi approaching the door as he held a handgun in one hand and a sword in the other. He opened the door and released a dog from the residence as officers stepped back.
Lanflisi exited the home and stepped on the porch, still holding the weapons. Officers commanded him to drop his weapons, but the he did not comply. One police officer fired his weapon, striking Lanflisi several times and leaving him in critical condition, police said.
Police report that the investigation is still active and ask anyone with information to contact them at (636) 529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at (866) 371-TIPS (8477).