Body camera video shows Louisville man shot by LMPD after allegedly stabbing officer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Newly released body camera footage shows a Louisville man shot and killed by police after allegedly stabbing an officer with a knife during a confrontation outside an apartment complex in Crescent Hill.

The footage shows officers April 20, 2025, trying to talk with suspect Ahtume McCollum, who neighbors said was yelling in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Arterburn Avenue. He then broke into a neighbor's home.

The Louisville Metro Police Department was dispatched to the complex after someone called 911 to report McCollum yelling in the parking lot.

LMPD BODY CAM FOOTAGE — Body camera footage from the Louisville Metro Police Department shows on April 20, 2025, a man shot and killed by police after allegedly stabbing an officer. (Source: LMPD body cam)

Police said they were already on their way to the scene when McCollum broke into his neighbor's home.

In surveillance video from the neighbor, McCollum is seen walking out of the home with a knife in his hand. Neighbors said he then broke several windows, prompting another 911 call.

In body camera footage, Officer Benjamin Klingenfus is seen approaching first and attempting to talk to McCollum.

"What's going on today? What's the matter?" Klingenfus said in the footage.

Then, Officer Cody Chapelle walked up to McCollum and asked about the knife.

"I'm going to tell you right now, if you reach for that knife I'm going to shoot you," Chapelle says in the footage.

Both officers continued speaking with McCollum, but when he started walking toward them, the situation escalated.

"Put your hands behind your back," Chapelle said in the footage.

The knife is visible in McCollum's pocket before the officers tackled him to the ground. It then fell out and landed in the grass.

Officers said McCollum grabbed the knife and tried to stab Chapelle. The full extent of the stabbing isn't visible in the video.

LMPD said McCollum stabbed the officer in the chest, but Chapelle was wearing a ballistic vest with a plate.

Klingenfus then pulled his Taser, followed by his gun, and fired a shot at McCollum.

Officers performed life-saving efforts, but McCollum later died at the hospital.

"Incidents like this do have a very significant impact on the people that are involved as well as our community, and that's why it's so important that we as a police agency are transparent in what happened," LMPD Deputy Chief Emily McKinley said Wednesday.

LMPD's Public Integrity Unit is investigating the incident. The criminal investigation has also been turned over to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney.

Both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.