Incident Highlights Mental Health and Domestic Violence Crisis
March 14, 2025 – Warren, MI
A Warren man with a history of domestic violence was fatally shot by police on March 10 after he refused to comply with officers’ commands and advanced toward them while armed with a knife. Authorities say the 41-year-old suspect, identified as Kenneth Anthony Beno, had multiple active warrants and a criminal record that included domestic violence, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace.
Domestic Violence Call Leads to Fatal Encounter
The fatal encounter began when Warren police responded to a 911 call from Beno’s ex-girlfriend, who reported that he was hiding under her bed with a pocketknife and had threatened to attack officers if they attempted to apprehend him.
During the emergency call, the woman informed dispatchers that Beno had left the home and was walking along nearby railroad tracks. Four officers were dispatched to the scene in the Twin Pines Mobile Home community, located in the 27000 block of Railroad Street.
Body Camera Footage Reveals Intense Standoff
At a press conference on March 13, Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins presented body camera footage of the confrontation. The video showed officers repeatedly ordering Beno to stop, drop to the ground, and surrender his weapon. Beno, however, ignored the commands and continued advancing toward police while wielding the knife.
At one point, he shouted at officers, “Shoot me.”
Despite an attempt to subdue him with a taser, Beno remained unaffected and continued moving toward the officers. Two officers then fired a total of six shots, striking Beno four times in the upper body. He was transported to a local hospital by emergency personnel but later succumbed to his injuries.
Police Commissioner: ‘Suicide by Cop’ a Likely Factor
Commissioner Hawkins acknowledged the tragic nature of the incident, emphasizing the difficult position in which the officers found themselves.
“We don’t take this lightly; we understand the magnitude of what happened,” Hawkins stated. “The officers made a split-second decision to neutralize a threat, and based on the facts available, we stand by their decision.”
Hawkins suggested that Beno’s actions indicated an attempt at “suicide by cop,” citing his history of mental health struggles and previous suicide threats.
“When a suspect explicitly tells a victim they intend to harm officers, ignores repeated commands, and urges police to shoot, it strongly suggests an intent to provoke a lethal response,” Hawkins explained. “This is a scenario no officer wants to face.”
Investigation and Police Response to Mental Health Crisis
Warren police have launched an internal investigation into the shooting, and the four responding officers have been placed on paid administrative leave. Hawkins affirmed that, as an accredited police agency, Warren PD will conduct its own investigation rather than involving external agencies such as the Michigan State Police or the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
“The facts are fairly straightforward, and we stand by our officers,” Hawkins said. “However, when we look at the underlying causes, this situation becomes more complex—it’s a crossroads between mental health and domestic violence.”
According to Hawkins, more than half of the aggravated assaults and 70% of homicides in Warren involve domestic violence. Additionally, the department has responded to over 1,500 mental health-related calls in the past year alone, averaging four such calls per day.
In response to this growing crisis, Warren police have been developing a crisis intervention team to handle mental health-related incidents and have implemented emotional intelligence training for officers. The department is also working to connect residents with community resources to address mental health and domestic violence concerns.
“This is an issue that goes beyond law enforcement,” Hawkins emphasized. “We need a comprehensive approach to support individuals struggling with mental illness and prevent these tragedies before they happen.”