West Palm Beach, Fla. – In the days before police elicited scathing criticism and prompted a Department of Justice investigation for their more than hourlong delay in confronting the shooter who massacred 19 children at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, the opposite occurred in West Palm Beach and brought calls for another investigation.

Romen Phelps, 33, of Palm Beach Gardens, was shot and killed by an offduty West Palm Beach police officer in the auditorium of Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts on May 13.

Friends and family say the former Dreyfoos student was a gentle soul who would help anyone; gregarious, fun-loving, an actor’s actor who loved his alma mater.

Police say Phelps crashed his van through a gate while school was in session, had fought with a school resource officer, was combative, erratic, belligerent, putting students and staff at risk, and that they had no choice but to neutralize the situation with gunfire, killing the former graduate of the prestigious school.

Later it was learned he was a 2007 theater alum of the performing arts high school who frequently volunteered with productions there and considered it his safe space, according to a Palm Beach Post report.

Despite the code red lockdown that the incident prompted, friends and family say Phelps was an easily recognizable figure at the school who in the midst of a manic mental episode at the time police shot him, and that his death could have and should have been prevented by de-escalation techniques and non-lethal force.

In contrast, West Palm Beach spokesman Mike Jachles, who noted to the Palm Beach Post that “A vehicle is a deadly weapon,” declined to say whether Phelps had possessed any other weapon but that “the appropriate force was used to stop the threat.”

“There’s a lack of understanding of mental health issues involving institutions,” said Lynn McKeel, who attended school with Phelps, as she and former students, former teachers and family members convened across from the school vigil May 21, to pay tribute to their friend.

“Romen has a long reach in the arts community,” said McKeel. “This (his death) was totally preventable.”

Skyler Meany, a longtime friend and former classmate who said he was like a brother to the victim, said Phelps had been over to his house the night before he was killed and his behavior was erratic. Meany said he had felt uncomfortable with Phelps’ mental state so he called police, who took him to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. They released him and he came back to Meany’s place to get his van and belongings, which is when the school incident began.

Police said they received reports of a van driving the wrong way on Banyan Boulevard near the school, and the van eventually crashed into the school gates. Reports say Phelps eventually engaged in an altercation with the school resource officer, and fearing for the safety of students and staff, an offduty officer shot and killed him. No one else was in the auditorium where the shooting occurred and no one else was hurt.

Phelps’ mother, Robbin Jackman, told the South Florida Times she believes her son was scared and panicked.

“The last two weeks have been highly stressful. Unprecedented,” Jackman she said through tears at the vigil for her son. “We never could have imagined we’d experience anything like this.

“Everyone loved Romen,” she added. “He was such a kind and generous soul. We’re unable to talk about the circumstances of that day, but I hope this goes national because mental illness is real!” Suzy Hernandez attended BAK Middle School of the Arts with Phelps, was in his 2007 graduating class at Dreyfoos, and also attended the vigil. “I’m just really sad,” said Hernandez. “He should’ve had a long life. He had no history with police or getting into any trouble. He was very dedicated. He was a true artist.”

Phelps was laid to rest last Saturday in West Palm Beach. Meany, who was among the last of his friends to see him alive, officiated the service.

The school police department, county medical examiner’s office, county state attorney’s office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement reportedly are investigating the officer-involved shooting at Dreyfoos.

Meanwhile federal officials continue to probe a host of questions regarding police disfunction in the Texas slayings.