A homeless man from Arizona begged for help just before his death. He repeated the words “I’m going drown” to officers nearby, one of whom said that he wouldn’t attempt to rescue him.
Tempe City Manager Andrew Ching said that Sean Bickings’ April death was a tragedy and that Chief Jeff Glover, Police Chief, stated that the incident occurred in Tempe Town Lake.
Monday’s release by the city included 12 minutes of edited video from the body camera that was taken just before Bickings died near the Elmore Pedestrian Bridge. The city also released a transcript of what Bickings, according to officials, said while he struggled in the water along with comments from officers who were nearby.
One part of the transcript was released by the city to complement the video of Bickings drowning. It shows an officer who is not identified telling Bickings that “Okay, we’re not jumping in after your” after Bickings repeatedly stated that he was drowning.
Officials from the city announced that three of the responding officers have been placed on routine administrative leave. They have not been identified. According to the city, the Arizona Department of Public Safety will “examine Tempe Police’s response to drowning.”
Tempe Officers Association representatives, the city’s police union said Monday that the community’s “grief mirrors its grief,” and added, “No one wants this incident to end like it did.”
According to the union, officers in city police departments do not receive training in water rescues or have the equipment necessary to assist drowning victims.
The group stated that “attempting such a high-risk rescue might easily result in death of the person in water and the officer, which could be pulled down if a struggling adult,” “Officers can call the Fire Department or the Tempe Police Boat. This is what officers did here.
According to the city account, police responded to a disturbance reported between Bickings (and a female companion) at the Center for the Arts around 5 a.m.
According to the Tempe statement, both of them were cooperative and denied any physical altercation. According to the Tempe statement, and the bodycam video, officers informed the pair that they were looking into outstanding warrants for arrest. When Bickings climbed a 4-foot-high metal fence and entered the water, the officers told them.
“Officers advised him that swimming in the lake was not permitted. He was unable to swim for more than 30-40 yards, indicating that he was in serious distress. The city stated that he soon fell under water and didn’t resurface.
NBC News doesn’t know the history of the body camera video.
A police officer heard Bickings asking him “What are your doing, my friend?”
An officer questions him in the transcript: “So, what’s your current plan?”
Bickings replies: “I’m going drown.” I’m going drown.”
Another officer responds, “No, you are not.”
According to the transcript, Bickings is told by another officer to “go up to the pylon” and to hold on. Then he informs Bickings that he’s not going to follow him.
Bickings says, “Please help me.” Please, please, please. He also said: “I cannot touch.” Oh, God. Please, help me. Please help me.
Officers are quoted as hearing Bickings’ female companion tell them that Bickings is drowning. She adds, “He’s all I have.” I can’t lose him. He will die.”
According to the transcript, an officer said that “The other officer will get the boat.”
Officials from the city and police declined to answer Monday’s questions about Bickings drowning or the officers who were put on leave.
