David Jordan was a 20-year-old from Long Beach, California, who died on September 11, 2012, after a confrontation with police. He had autism and had been working toward communicating better and pursuing a goal of becoming a chef. Recent changes to his medication and the absence of his special education advocate had increased his stress, and he became suicidal that day, telling others he wanted police to end his life.

David’s grandmother called 911 to get him medical help and told the dispatcher about his autism and suicidal statements. Police, not an ambulance, responded. Officers encountered David armed with a knife; after he allegedly lunged at one officer, an officer fired. Attempts to revive him failed and he died at the scene. Families of people with autism have raised concerns about how crises like this are handled.