Kim Jackson
Kim Jackson, a 53-year-old woman, was shot and killed by a Modesto police officer in October 2016.
Police was responding a call about Jackson who was intoxicated and vandalizing her father’s home. Officers found her in the street near her father’s home. She was armed multiple knives, according to police. Despite being told to drop the knives, she ran toward the officers with them raised above her head, police said. Officers used a taser, bean bags and one officer fired his gun at Jackson, police said. She was taken to a hospital where she later died from her injuries.
Jackson was shot with what is called a breaching round. Breaching rounds are used to destroy door locks and deadbolts but can be fatal when used against people. The sergeant believed he had loaded the shotgun with beanbag rounds, but one was a breaching round. The Police Department’s Internal Affairs investigation of the shooting said this was done by mistake.
In March 2021, Jackson’s family filled a federal lawsuit against city. The lawsuit alleges police used excessive force. The family seeks more than $10 million in damages.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“It’s one thing to have bad policing and practices, it’s another thing to conceal (information) and hope it goes away,” said Sacramento attorney Mark Merin, who represents Jackson’s family.
“As the supervisor at the scene, Sgt. Bettis used his training and experience to correctly perceive the threat he and his officers were facing,” the investigation states. “… However, none of this was communicated to Officer Callahan or Officer Lamantia, who felt very differently about the situation.”
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Biden
Letter to Garland
