Coroner Critiques Mental Health Response in Fatal Police Shooting
A coroner has deemed the response to a suicidal man’s call inadequate, leading to his fatal shooting by police in Adelaide.
Kobee Huddy, Adelaide, South Australia, Police Shooting, Mental Health
Adelaide: A tragic incident unfolded when a young man named Kobee Huddy, just 20 years old, was shot by police. He had called a mental health crisis line for help but was met with a response that a coroner later described as “not satisfactory.”
Kobee was in a tough spot, struggling with borderline personality disorder and had reached out for help on May 25, 2019. Sadly, he was brandishing a knife when police arrived, which led to the fatal encounter.
The coroner, Ian White, released his findings recently, highlighting that Kobee had a history of suicide attempts and had interacted with the health system multiple times before his death. His call to the mental health service was criticized for being dismissive.
After that initial call, things escalated. Kobee made another call to emergency services, threatening violence and claiming he had a gun. Police tracked him down but he left with friends who were taking him to the hospital.
When police finally confronted him, he refused to comply with orders and advanced towards an officer, leading to the tragic shooting. The officer involved, Sgt Darren Mead, was found to have acted in self-defense.
In the aftermath, it was revealed that Kobee expressed remorse to the officers who tried to help him after he was shot. This showed a glimpse of the person he was beneath his struggles.
Sadly, the officer involved also faced his own challenges, suffering from PTSD after the incident and passing away in 2023. The coroner noted his dedication to his job and the toll the event took on him.
While no recommendations were made, the coroner encouraged the police to continue their efforts in integrating mental health support into their operations. It’s a tough situation, and hopefully, lessons can be learned to prevent such tragedies in the future.
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Lifeline and beyondblue are there for support.