David Clements: Teen with mental illness and gun access who 'threatened to kill himself' shot dead by NYPD after he pointed weapon at cops

A neighbor called police after hearing multiple suicide threats from resident David Clements.
PUBLISHED FEB 5, 2024
David Clements was shot dead by police officers (News12/Video screengrab)
David Clements was shot dead by police officers (News12/Video screengrab)

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Police on Long Island said that a suicidal 19-year-old carrying three handguns allegedly pointed one of them at them when he was shot and killed outside his residence.

According to Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, members of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office responded to the Massapequa residence on Stone Boulevard on Friday, February 2, night.

David Clements was armed with three guns

According to reports, a neighbor called them to the house because she thought David Clements, the resident, intended to commit suicide.

The caller claimed to have overheard Clements make multiple suicide threats before vanishing inside his house holding what looked to be a gun. Clements was outside once more when the police arrived on the scene.

According to News12 Long Island, he was armed with three guns this time, two of which were BB guns.

David Clements reportedly hid inside his NY house with a gun, and when police arrived (News12 video screengrab)
David Clements reportedly hid inside his NY house with a gun, and when police arrived (News12 video screengrab)

Ryder informed reporters, "He was threatening to kill himself several times. The officers gave him directions to drop the weapon."

Rather, Clements fled inside the house and came back holding "a very bright flashlight on a loaded 9mm handgun."

David Clements had 'history of mental illness'

In the words of Ryder, who referred to it as a "suicide by cop," he then said, "rushed down his driveway, pointing his weapon at officers until it became necessary for an officer to use deadly physical force.”

Around 8:30 pm, Clements was shot and killed by an officer, according to Patch.

He was declared deceased at the scene. According to the police, Clements had access to firearms and a history of mental illness, ABC7 NY 24/7 affiliated Eyewitness news reported.

A police officer said during a press conference, "We stand with our officers, they did an outstanding job. This individual (Clements) had a history of mental illness. He had access to a gun which was still going on."

The Homicide Squad of the Nassau County Police Department announced that it will conduct an ongoing investigation into the incident in cooperation with the Office of the New York State Attorney General. The implicated officer's name remained unidentified. 

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