79-year-old man shot by police while running at officer with knife learns punishment

A man who was shot dead while charging at a police officer with a knife has learned his punishment.

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Otto Coleman, 79, was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, according to a spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

>> RELATED: Police release body camera video after officer shoots man with knife during mental health call

As News Center 7 previously reported, Coleman was found guilty of felony assault on a peace officer and not guilty of resisting arrest in October.

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In August 2024, Dayton police responded to a home in the 700 block of N. Broadway Street.

Dayton Police Department Chief Kamran Afzal described it as a “mental health call” and a home “intrusion” incident.

Upon arrival, one of the officers walked around the back of the building and found Coleman with a large knife.

Body camera video captured the officer yelling at Coleman to drop the knife.

At that point, Coleman lunged toward the officer, who then fired his weapon.

Coleman was shot three times, according to the office.

Afzal said Coleman kept the knife after the shooting and they had to retrieve it before providing first aid.

A Montgomery County grand jury declined to indict the officer involved in the shooting.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said Coleman had a “long and violent criminal history,” including:

• Attempted murder conviction in Maryland in 1973.

• Assault on a convicted police officer in Montgomery County in 1998.

• Assault on police officer charged in Montgomery County in 2010. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity for that charge.

• Robbery, assault of a police officer and vandalism conviction in Montgomery County in 2011.

Coleman was on parole for his 2011 conviction at the time of his “final altercation with police,” the office said.

His parole was revoked and he was sent back to prison to serve the remainder of his previous sentence.

“This violent offender, who should never have been paroled, is lucky the officer didn’t shoot him. Violent offenders like this, who have not been rehabilitated, deserve to stay in prison,” said prosecutor Mat Heck.

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