Katelyn Hall, Louisville, Kentucky woman shot dead by police during mental health crises after charging at cops with sharp object after self lacerating self. Two Louisville Metro Police Department officers placed on admin leave as investigation launched.
Police overkill? A re-think of responding to heightened domestic situations?
The family of a Louisville, Kentucky woman fatally shot by officers as she charged at them with a ‘sharp object’ during a mental health crises are demanding justice.
The shooting occurred at 7:45 p.m, Friday, March 27, after Katelyn Hall’s family called 911 reporting the 28-year-old woman was experiencing a mental health episode and had self-inflicted cuts on her arms.
Police use lethal force on woman experiencing mental health crises
Responding officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department and fire department personnel found Hall locked in a bathroom, highly agitated and incoherent, making suicidal statements according to Deputy Chief Emily McKinley of the LMPD.
When fire personnel forced entry, Hall charged at officers wielding a large sharp object described as a piece of glass or edged weapon, prompting two officers to fire their weapons. Hall was transported to University of Louisville Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
No officers were injured during the incident.
Family demand justice for Katelyn Hall
Hall’s family described her as a loving mother and daughter who struggled with mental health issues, while decrying her death the consequence of needless police violence.
‘My daughter, Katelyn Hall, was a beautiful soul and was taken away from me way too soon. She lit up every room she walked into. She had the biggest personality and an even bigger love for her family and close friends,’ her mother shared in a statement to WAVE. ‘She was hurting mentally, she needed help, she didn’t need guns pulled on her. We called 911 with a medical emergency and this is how it ended. My baby deserved better, she deserved help not bullets.’
Friends and family members echoed calls for justice for Katelyn on social media.
LMPD launch investigation leading to whether charges ought to be filed
In accordance with LMPD policy, both officers involved have been put on administrative leave, and their identities will be released within 72 hours.
Louisville Metro Police Department has opened a standard officer-involved shooting investigation. The Justice Center will determine whether charges will be filed.
Body camera footage of the incident will be released within the next 10 business days.
LMPD’s Public Integrity Unit is leading the investigation.
The incident marks another fatal police shooting involving someone experiencing a mental health crisis, renewing calls for improved crisis intervention training and mental health response protocols in Louisville.
A GoFundme to assist Katelyn Hall’s family with burial and funeral costs has since been launched.
