Ryan Lee Blair

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information ORIGINAL CDR Number: 19-1274-UF Version Type: VERSION Report Date: 12/4/2019 1:35 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Abilene Police Agency Name: Agency Address: 450 Pecan St. Dept. Agency City: Abilene Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 79602 Director Information Director Salutation: Chief Director First Name: Stan Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Standridge Reporter Name: Mark Watson Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Ryan Middle Name: Lee Last Name: Blair Suffix: Date of Birth: 7/9/1996 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 23 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 11/30/2019 12:18 Incident: AM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 11/30/2019 3:20 Death Date and Time: AM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results Evaluation?: pending What was the manner of death? (select only one) Manner of Death: Suicide Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Gunshot wound Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Not Applicable If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Decedent If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Handgun death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Firearm Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: 1401 Lawyers Lane City: Abilene County: Taylor Zip: 79602 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Residence/Home What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use Type of Custody: of Force Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: N/A What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: Entry Date Time N/A: Where did the death occur? Death Location: Scene of incident General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Other Agencies Respond?: No What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Aggravated Assault (First Degree Felony) Offense 2: Terrorist Threat (SJF) Offense 3: Not filed at time of Were the Charges:: death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of Offense: Other, specify Type of Offense, Other: Check welfare danger to self and public At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of Yes, mark all that weapons: apply Decedent Display or Use Displayed firearm Weapon Details: without discharge At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Attempt to Injure Others?: No At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Yes Make suicidal statements?: Yes drugs): Exhibit any mental health Yes Exhibit any medical problems?: No problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or Yes N/A standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to Yes No including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On 11/30/19 at approximately 0014, the Abilene Police Department received a call to check the welfare of Ryan Blair at 1401 Lawyers Lane in Abilene, TX. The calling party was Blair's immediate supervisor in the USAF and received notification from a third party that Blair had verbalized suicidal intentions. Upon arrival at the scene officers observed Blair inside his residence in possession of an optics equipped rifle and a semi-automatic pistol. The officers retreated back to their vehicle in order to not provoke a response by Blair. He then exited his residence with both weapons and confronted the officers from his front yard. For the following approximately thirty minutes patrol officers negotiated with Blair in an attempt to peacefully bring a peaceful resolution to the situation. Blair consistently refused to disarm and comply with the directions of patrol officers and shouted numerous times for officers to shoot and kill while pointing the rifle at the officers. Blair moved freely from his yard to the street and back while threatening the officers. With Blair's continuing refusal to disarm, a tactical officer, equipped with a scoped rifle, responded to assist the on-scene patrol officers. At approximately 0040, Blair assumed a defensive firing position utilizing a vehicle and dumpster for cover and support. With the increased threat posed and Blair again pointing his rifle at officers, the tactical officer discharged one round from his rifle at approximately 0046 striking Blair and knocking him to the ground. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Blair dropped the rifle but maintained the pistol and crawled into the partial cover of surrounding bushes. Officers continued giving verbal commands for Blair to show his hands but to no avail. As officers made arrangements to have an armored vehicle brought to the scene to provide cover for an apprehension, a single shot was fired by Blair from his prone position. Officers observed that Blair ceased all movement after the final shot and with support from the armored vehicle moved to Blair's position. He was confirmed deceased and later examination revealed that he had placed the pistol underneath his chin and fired the pistol resulting in his own death. The scene was secured and assets from the Department's Criminal Investigation Division along with Texas Ranger Jason Shea were notified. A concurrent investigation was then conducted by APD and the Texas Rangers. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7