911 recordings are shedding new light on a police-involved shooting that left a man dead in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
Those recordings indicate police declined help from counselors in dealing with the mentally ill victim.
The first call to Warren County 911 came from a mental health counselor asking for a welfare check on Thomas Read Jr.
That's after counselors found out Read, 36, was writing threatening letters to neighbors and displaying them by hanging them with a knife.
While police were en route, dispatchers notified them of issues with Read's medication and that he had a history of violence.
The counselors told dispatchers they felt the solution to the problem was taking Read to the hospital.
"He sounds like he's got to go to the ER," said one caller. "So, either he goes or I come out. One or the other if her is there."
According to the recordings, officers did not take the counselors up on their offer to help. Instead, they asked for another squad car as the situation escalated.
"County, check on car at South Main," said the dispatcher.
"Armed individual with a knife screaming now," replied the officer.
As more officers arrived, one of the counselors made one more plea for help.
I know you got called out to see Thomas Read over at 463 South Main," said the caller. "You know if the officers need me to come out?"
"At this point and time, I believe they're having some issues over there," said the officer.
"Should I go out?" asked the caller.
"I would stay away for right now. We'll have them call you," said the officer.
After that call -- "Shots fired. Get a squad down here." -- was heard over the radio.
Three officers fired their weapons. Read died.
Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said the shooting was justified because Read didn't comply with commands to drop a knife he was holding.
Phillipsburg police did not return our calls for comment.
According to the Express-Times, the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services is conducting an investigation into the incident, but the agency told us it could not confirm or deny that information.
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