Shooting death of armed 20-year-old UMass student after mental health incident with police prompts protest

CAMBRIDGE – Family and friends have organized a protest after a 20-year-old UMass student was shot by police and later died after a mental health incident.

According to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow, on Wednesday at approximately 1:15 p.m., Cambridge Emergency Communications received a 911 call from a Cambridgeport resident, who had witnessed a man jump out of the window of a neighboring apartment and further reported that the man was in possession of a machete. The caller said that he appeared to be cutting himself with both the weapon, later identified as a kukri knife and broken window glass.

Multiple paramedics and officers were initially dispatched to the scene and located the male, identified as Sayed Faisal, 20 of Cambridge, bleeding in an alley behind a Sidney Street building.

The preliminary investigation suggests that Faisal reportedly ran with the knife after observing police, traveling through several blocks in the Cambridgeport neighborhood before officers attempted to verbally engage with him on Chestnut Street, requesting that he put the knife down. The man reportedly moved towards the officers while still in possession of the weapon.

An officer discharged a less-than-lethal sponge round in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. That round was unsuccessful in stopping Faisal. He continued to advance towards officers in possession of the weapon. One officer discharged this department-issued firearm and struck Faisal. Officials state that he was immediately rendered medical aid on the scene by officers until EMS arrived. Faisal was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where he later died.

Those who knew Faisal state that he was never running towards police or engaged with police and want justice. They have organized a protest at Cambridge City Hall for Monday.

In a GoFundMe fundraiser that has raised over $33,000 as of this writing, a friend described Faisal as a bright, young, and energetic guy.

“He was a bright, hardworking and studious young man who worked at CVS while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in engineering.”

Faisal reportedly wanted to join the Army after graduation.

The DA’s Office stated that investigators are in the very early stages of the investigation, which is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and the Cambridge Police. The prosecutors assigned to the case are Carrie Spiros and Caroline Evans.

Any member of the public with any information or video of this incident should contact the Cambridge Police.