KCTV in Kansas has reported that police shot and killed Joseph Jennings, an unarmed 18-year-old man at an Ottawa hardware store on August 23. Family members say that the police officers knew that the teen was suicidal. The initial report said that Jennings was armed with a gun, but the family insists that Jennings was unarmed.
Police shot Jennings 16 times.
His aunt, Brandy Smith, said that Jennings was a “good boy” who had become suicidal because of his illness.
From KCTV:
“He was suffering from depression, seizures and anxiety,” Smith said.
Smith said his seizures were getting worse in the last month, and with no relief in sight, he had begun feeling suicidal.
Two days before he was shot and killed, Jennings expressed his anguish on Facebook.
“Tonight is the night goodbye everyone!!!!! It was truly a good ride! And I’m sorry for who I might of hurted (sic) and people that I may of offended, But I love all my family and I hope you don’t hold this against me,” Jennings wrote.
Ten minutes later, according to family members, Jennings swallowed 60 pills trying to take his life.
“The two cops that was involved in the shooting was also there when they took him to Ransom Memorial Hospital for overdosing,” Smith said.
Jennings survived the overdose, but seemed to be on a suicidal mission as he walked to a nearby farm.
“I told them it is Joseph Jennings. He is suicidal. He is upset, don’t shoot him,” she said.
Smith’s husband also tried to help.
“My husband was going to tackle him. He was within arms reach. They said to get back or they were going to shoot him,” Smith said.
An officer yelled”Bag him!” and the officers tried to subdue him with bags before shooting him.
Ottawa Police Chief Dennis Butler said that the officers reacted as they were trained to do.
“They reacted based upon the training that they’ve been given from the academy,” Butler said. “We were thankful that no officer was injured from protecting themselves from risk of great bodily harm.”
He continued?by saying?that the training teaches officers to “stop them” in the quickest, most efficient way.
There is a huge discrepancy here. The police say he was armed and pointing a gun at them. The family, who was right there and witnessed the entire exchange, insist?that Jennings was unarmed.
When questioned in the video (see below), an unidentified official said that they will not answer questions about the investigation.
Joseph Jennings was suffering from depression, seizures, and anxiety. He loved to ride his motorcycle and was scheduled to begin underwater welding school on Monday.
He was transported to a hospital where he?later?died. The investigation is now in the hands of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
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h/t Addicting Info
Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
