Lennord Whittle, 25

Middletown, New York
November 19, 2013

Agencies: Middletown Police Department - New York

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Police have identified the man shot and killed by Middletown police on Tuesday as Lennord Whittle, 25, of Middletown.

Investigation of the shooting is continuing by state police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Whittle was shot and killed by police officers who responded to a report of a foot chase between two men. Whittle was chasing another man while carrying a knife when police shot and killed him near Sam’s Mart Convenience Store, authorities said.

Middletown Police Chief Ramon Bethencourt said the officers involved were a man and woman, but he declined to say if one or both fired their weapons. They were not identified by name. Both officers have been placed on administrative leave.

The police officers who opened fire, killing Lennord Whittle, 25, of Middletown, on Academy Street Tuesday shot him seven times, the attorney for his family said Thursday.

Police said Whittle was chasing another man while armed with a knife with they shot and killed him, but the family’s attorney, Michael Sussman, maintains Whittle was unarmed.

“The eyewitness testimony that we have been able to gather as well as the portrait of the young man that we have been able to gather suggests that he had no knife, suggests that he was shot to death while standing on a corner not near or threatening anyone; police came running at him aggressively and shot him seven times,” Sussman said.

The Goshen attorney said the situation “is not good” for the community and very disturbing.

Legal Action

November 2013 Family lawyer calls for independent investigation of killing

March 2015  Lawsuit filed