Alivia Schwab
Darvet Brown
Brandon Keys
Often I cover controversial or questionable Officer-Involved-Shooting cases - as they are typically part of the national discussion and therefore more people may have heard of the case. However, these three recent cases are far more representative of OIS incidents in general.
The fact is that the vast majority of police shootings are within department policy, in-line with training, and most importantly - within the law.
I am confident that even the most awful and disgusting anti-police activist would have a difficult time finding that these officers made the wrong decision by utilizing deadly force in these cases.
1. Alivia Schwab
This incident occurred on Sept 28, 2023 in Morris, Illinois (which is a small town approximately an hour southwest of Chicago) and it involved a woman named Alivia Schwab. (40).
Ms. Schwab had been suffering with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and had been living in a residential treatment facility. She had just been released from mental health facility and was living in an apartment trying to get her life back together.
This incident began when her mental health providers called 911 and reported that Ms. Schwab had threatened to kill herself with a knife.
Two officers with the Morris Police Department arrived on scene (a male and a female officer). When the officers arrived they determined that the male officer would be “lethal” and the female officer would be “less lethal” (Taser).
As officers approached her apartment, Ms. Schwab met officers in the parking lot. She was armed with a 9" knife and had a phone in her other hand.
The male officer gave the command of “Drop the knife” multiple times and walked backwards - away from Ms. Schwab - in an effort to create distance.
Ms. Schwab did not follow the reasonable and simple instructions from the male officer and instead - advanced towards the officers with the knife in her hand.
The male officer yelled, “Tase her, tase her!” to the female officer, who, for some reason, had not already utilized the Taser on her own accord.
Before the female officer could unholster and turn on the Taser - Ms. Schwab (who was now 8-10 feet from the male officer) began to run towards him.
The male officer fired his weapon and Ms. Schwab sustained fatal injuries.
(body cam)
This was obvious a 100% legal OIS. The Grundy County District Attorney stated that the use of deadly force was within the law.
The female officer did not even have her Taser drawn. This is unacceptable and where all criticism should go.
A lawsuit filed by an attorney representing the Schwab family comically said that the, “knife pointed downward in a nonthreatening manner”.
It is impossible for a 9” knife to be held in “non-threatening manner” when you are chasing someone with it.
2. Darvet Brown
On Dec 10, 2023 in San Bernadino, California a woman named Darvet Brown (35) went to the apartment of a family friend. Ms. Brown was armed with a gun.
In the apartment was the family friend (a grandmother) and her 3-year-old grandson.
Ms. Brown fired several rounds inside of the apartment and threatened the child with the weapon.
The grandmother called 911 and stated that grandson was being held at gunpoint by Ms. Brown.
As police arrived on scene Ms. Brown was on balcony of the apartment and pointed the gun at police - before retreating into the apartment. Police did not fire at Ms. Brown and instead forced entry into the locked apartment.
When police entered (not knowing if they would be taking immediate gunfire) they observed Ms. Brown standing on a bed and had the gun pointed at the child.
Officers wasted no time in utilizing deadly force against Ms. Brown.
The child was unharmed.
This was another obvious reasonable and legal OIS.
No discussion is needed.
3. Brandon Keys
On Dec 7, 2023 in St. Paul, Minnesota a woman called 911 and stated that she had an order of protection against a man (Brandon Keys). She stated that he was “ramming” his car into hers and that he was armed with a handgun.
Officer Tschida responded to the call and observed the vehicles in question. He immediately gave Mr. Keys two commands to “get on the ground”.
Those commands were quickly followed by Officer Tschida saying, “Oh fuck!” As Mr. Keys did not comply and instead fired his weapon at Officer Tschida - striking him in the leg.
Officer Tschida stayed in the fight and exchanged gunfire with Mr. Keys.
Mr. Keys was shot in the head and died from his injuries.
Officer Tschida will recover.
This is a call that would ideally be responded to by more than one officer. However, Officer Tschida was dispatched and just went. He did not wait for backup and instead risked his own safety to save the life of a woman that he did not know. This is an example of selflessness heroic action.
There is a still a place for the “warrior culture” in policing. No one calls a social worker to kill a monster.
The next time I am in St. Paul (the city I went to law school in) beers are on me Tschida.