Victim: Philip Quinn

What happened:

Prior to his death, Philip Quinn knew he needed help and was battling several mental health issues. He had recently told St. Paul hospital staff that he planned to kill himself, and tried to get into a long-term treatment program to address his schizophrenia and other mental health difficulties. Philip Quinn’s family called St. Paul, Minnesota, police multiple times on Sept. 24, 2015, for help containing the 30-year-old, whom they said was psychotic and suicidal. Police shot and killed the White Earth Ojibwe man as he ran toward them with a screwdriver. The officers involved were Joe LaBathe, an eight-year veteran, and Rich McGuire, who has been with the department for seven years. McGuire shot Quinn. Philip was 30 years of age at the time of his death.

Outcome:

After Quinn’s shooting, both officers were placed on standard administrative leave. By December 2015, this officer-involved shooting death was the 13th in St. Paul since 2009 — the most by any department in the state. It was also one of several in the past 2 years that involved a victim who was mentally ill, renewing concerns about police response and protocols for handling such issues. The two officers were later cleared by a grand jury on or around February 19, 2016. In an effort to be more transparent, the St. Paul Police Department released detailed information, 911 calls, and dash cam video from the case to give the public a better idea of what happened.

Sources:

• http://www.startribune.com/st-paul-police-ramsey-county-attorney-to-release-documents-in-fatal-officer-involved-shooting/369311311
• http://www.fox9.com/news/st-paul-police-release-video-of-fatal-encounter-with-philip-quinn
• http://www.startribune.com/st-paul-man-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-is-identified/329566071

Date:

Location:

St. Paul, Minnesota (West End)