Filmmaker father of slain autistic man wishes son had never called police: ‘He just needed help’

Two decisions haunt an Orange County father in the 24 hours following the shooting death of his autistic and armed son by Irvine police officers.

Independent filmmaker Erich Meltvedt said he regretted agreeing with his 20-year-old “overachieving” son, Daniel, who was suffering from a mental health crisis on Tuesday morning, about involving law enforcement.

That choice ultimately led to a situation in which Irvine police said they had no option but to shoot and kill Daniel Meltvedt, who charged at officers with a kitchen knife, according to a police news release.

“He called me saying, ‘Dad, I’m going to call [the police],’” Erich Meltvedt told The Times in an interview by phone. “I have a knife and I need help, Dad. I thought they’d come to help him, but they killed him instead.”

Police received a call at 11:45 a.m. from Daniel Meltvedt directing them to the family’s Turtle Rock neighborhood in Irvine.

The fatal sequence took place after “over an hour” of negotiations between Daniel Meltvedt and the department’s Crisis Negotiation Team failed to result in a “peaceful surrender,” the department said.

Daniel Meltvedt was struck by gunfire as his father watched from a close distance. Life-saving measures were undertaken at the scene, but after being transported to a hospital, he was pronounced dead.

Irvine police “had seven guys there and you’re telling me they can’t take down one guy with a 5-inch blade,” Erich Meltvedt said. “They have equipment, bulletproof vests and they still needed to shoot him?”

The incident is being investigated by Irvine police detectives and the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Erich Meltvedt said his son, who was an employee at a nearby Pavilions, loved surfing and bodybuilding. He had earned a driver’s license, lived independently and rose to the level of a tae kwon do black belt.

“Everybody loved Daniel,” Erich Meltvedt said. “He would flex and everybody would smile.”

Erich Meltvedt said he was shocked because Irvine police were familiar with Daniel and the family since they “had been dealing with them for years.”

“They told us that they would not shoot at all,” Erich Meltvedt said.

Erich Meltvedt said he arrived at the family’s home shortly after his son called authorities. He said he tried to get near Daniel to “calm him,” but the “police wouldn’t let me anywhere near him.”

Daniel Meltvedt had grown irritated at work after being approached by a pair of co-workers who told him “he doesn’t listen well,” according to his father.

“He slammed some products, some diapers, on the floor and was told, ‘You have to go home,” Erich Meltvedt said.

“He just needed help.”