Nicholas Squire: FAU shooting suspect identified, police say he was interested in 'suicide by cop'

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- An armed man shot by FAU police at the Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton campus Friday lunged at them with a 'suicide by cop' scenario in mind, Boca Raton police say.

Officers identified the suspect as 22-year-old Nicholas Squire.

It was an air condition repair technician who originally reported finding Squire on the roof of the Innovations Business Park. The technician told the building manager who called FAU police.

Officers Bill Hernandez and Gary Grande responded to the call and proceeded to the roof to investigate.

They found Squire leaning against a wall and said he began pacing as they approached. They also say he was looking over the side of the building as if he thought about jumping.

As officers continued to approach, Officer Hernandez pulled out his Taser and Officer Grander pulled out his handgun.

When they were about 10-to-15 feet away from Squire, they say he pulled out a knife and ran at them.

Both fired. The Taser and two bullets struck Squire, who then fell to the ground.

As Squire received treatment he told detectives that he got to the roof by climbing a tree and admitted pulling a knife from his pocket and lunging at them hoping they would shoot him, according to the police report, which characterized the actions as consistent with a 'suicide by cop' scenario.'

In the police report the officers say they thought Squire may been impaired when they first made contact with him.

Squire has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and the investigation remains open.