Robert B. Blackwell

Deadly force

Two officers went to Blackwell's apartment at the request of a family member who asked authorities to check on his welfare, police said. Arriving at the apartment, they found the door locked and gained entry with a manager's key. They found the door barricaded on the other side with a sofa, which they pushed aside. With the door open, the officers saw Blackwell across the room with a firearm and told him to put down the weapon. He didn't, and he was shot and killed.