The City of Longview and three police officers are facing a lawsuit over the New Year's Day shooting death of Katelynn Rose Smith, who was reported to be suicidal at the time of her death. Smith's mother, Danielle Whiting, is spearheading the complaint that targets the city, along with Officers Elijah Heston, Dylan Fletcher, and Caitlyn Woolcott-Rose. As stated in details from KOIN, the lawsuit filed by the Pierce County-based Mark Lindquist Law firm alleges that the Longview Police Department was negligent by failing to properly train its officers to handle mental health crises and consequently violated the American Disabilities Act, along with other civil rights laws.
According to a report by OPB, the confrontation that led to the fatal shooting occurred after Smith had prompted previous police calls for suicidal behavior. Previously having been involuntarily committed at a local hospital, Smith had already been on the radar of local law enforcement for her mental health struggles. All involved officers, as recorded by state law enforcement, are still active members of the Longview Police Department, with Heston serving for six years and Fletcher and Woolcott-Rose for two.
The family alleges that there was a failure by the Longview police officers to de-escalate the confrontation before Smith was killed. Her two young children left in the care of their grandmother, Smith's family seeks not just monetary damages through the lawsuit, but are also aiming for justice in light of what they claim to be an unnecessary end for Smith. In a stance that reflects their hurt and search for answers, the family is represented through a plea for "compassionate intervention" the report from KGW, states, rather than the tragic fatal outcome that occurred.
A spokesperson for the city of Longview has remained tight-lipped, stating that they cannot comment on any pending litigation. However, with officers Heston, Fletcher, and Woolcott-Rose still on duty, the lawsuit leaves unspoken the tension between duty and the dire consequences that can arise when mental health emergencies intersect with law enforcement protocols.
