LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – When Katelyn Hall’s family called 911 Friday night, they were seeking help for the 28-year-old.
Instead, responding officers used deadly force after de-escalation efforts failed and Hall reportedly charged at them.
For Dr. Suzette Schuermann, a registered nurse, the situation is difficult to process after experiencing a similar mental health crisis herself years ago.
She said Kentucky State Police troopers handled her case differently, calmly talking her down without shouting or drawing weapons before taking her to receive care.
“The police came, de-escalated, put me in a car, took me to the hospital,” Dr. Schuermann said. “Here I am… Here I am.”
She believes less-lethal options, such as rubber bullets or pepper spray, should have been used before resorting to deadly force.
Officers at the scene did request those options. Radio transmissions show they asked twice for “non-lethal” and “less lethal” tools.
However, LMPD officials said those measures were no longer viable after de-escalation attempts failed and Hall charged at officers with a large sharp object.
Hall’s mother, Rebecca, said her daughter should be remembered as someone full of life and laughter.
Dr. Schuermann said the outcome was unnecessary and believes officials need to reexamine how such situations are handled.
“I think we need to have something more,” she said. “I think our lawmakers need to be aware that this is not acceptable to the public.”
She also emphasized the role of friends and family in recognizing signs of a crisis, encouraging people to talk with loved ones and contact appropriate authorities if situations escalate.
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