Ross M. Sullivan

Deadly force

Police were called to Sullivan's apartment after neighbors said he was banging an outdoor railing with a sword and had thrown a TV, a Christmas tree and a toy Santa Claus into the courtyard from a fourth-floor balcony. During the a standoff, Sullivan allegedly pushed a sword through his apartment door and fled as officers unsuccessfully tried to fire a Taser at him. Sullivan then returned to his apartment, and officers said they followed him inside. There he allegedly struck one officer with the sword, cutting his jacket and causing a "blunt force injury," police said. When Sullivan allegedly began to swing the sword at Officer Jason Rasmussen. Rasmussen shot and killed him.