Jefferson Square Park was filled with signs Saturday afternoon, reading: ‘Say her name’; ‘Needed compassion, met with bullets’; ‘Justice for Katelyn Hall’.
28-year-old Katelyn Hall was fatally shot by two Louisville Metro Police officers, a little over a week ago.
Shaun Spencer spoke for Hall’s family, sharing their grief.
“She was more than a headline, more than a moment,” Spencer said. “She was deeply loved…She needed patience. She needed trained support. Instead, what she received cost her her life.”
LMPD released body camera video worn by the two officers, Friday. The video showed officers arriving at the apartment complex after Hall’s roommate called 911 for help. Hall had locked herself in a bathroom and threatened to hurt herself.
In the video, an officer can be heard saying, “You’ve got people out here worried about you” as they talked to Hall through the bathroom door.
First responders forced entry, and Hall opened the door. LMPD said Hall moved quickly toward officers with a sharp piece of porcelain, prompting them to fire their weapons.
In the video, the viewer can hear a taser fired, but never used. Per policy, because she threatened to hurt herself and others, the city’s contracted social workers never came to the scene.
“Within LMPD and Metro government, we have already begun using this incident to work on improving how we handle these situations,” Police Chief Paul Humphrey said.
As people rallied for justice for Katelyn Hall, Saturday, they said they disagreed with the handling of the situation.
“A mental health crisis should never be a death sentence,” said rally organizer Rhonda Matheis.
Local counselor Laquisha Moore reviewed the body camera footage and discussed how she uses de-escalation techniques in similar situations.
“I have had to de-escalate situations like this many times as a residential treatment provider,” Moore said. “I was able to do that without any weapons, with my mind.”
Spencer shared thoughts from Hall’s paternal grandmother.
“Ms. Fields does not want the truth softened because she believes, if we do not tell the truth, nothing will change,” Spencer said.
LMPD and the mayor’s office both said this week they’re exploring a “co-responding” model, where the mental health crisis team could come with police officers during a call for help.