Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Destinii Hope
Age : 0.3
Gender : Female
Race : White
Date : 11/08/2024
Location : Larkspur Lane
City : Independence
County : Jackson
State : Missouri
Agency : Independence Police Department
Officer(s) :Jordan White
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Bystander killed by police shooting
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 11/07/2024, Independence Police Department officers responded to the Oval Spring Apartments after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance involving 34-year-old Maria Pike, who was reportedly armed with a knife. A mental health co-responder also responded to the scene in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Officers encountered Pike inside an apartment while she was holding her 12-week-old daughter, Destinii Hope.
According to investigators, officers spent several minutes attempting to negotiate with Pike. Police said Pike picked up a butcher knife from a nearby nightstand, raised it over her head, and moved toward officers while still holding her infant. Officer Jordan White fired four rounds, striking both Pike and Destinii Hope. Both were pronounced dead. The shooting was captured on body-worn camera video later released by the Independence Police Department.
The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office conducted an independent review after the Missouri State Highway Patrol completed its investigation. On 03/14/2025, Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced that no criminal charges would be filed against White, concluding that Missouri law did not provide sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that his use of deadly force was criminal.
The families of Maria Pike and Destinii Hope later filed wrongful death litigation against the City of Independence. In 2026, the city agreed to pay $6 million to resolve the civil claims, one of the largest police-shooting settlements in Missouri history.
On 07/29/2026, a new lawsuit revealed additional developments involving Officer Jordan White. White filed suit against the City of Independence alleging disability discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, and workers' compensation retaliation after developing post-traumatic stress disorder following the shooting and the subsequent line-of-duty death of a close friend. White alleges his treating providers cleared him to return to work in April 2025 with accommodations, but the city failed to honor his return-to-duty plan, refused reasonable accommodations, and prevented him from returning to active service. The lawsuit was filed under the Missouri Human Rights Act and Missouri workers' compensation law, alleging the city failed to accommodate his PTSD disability and unlawfully retaliated against him. The City of Independence acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment because of the pending litigation.
The shooting remains one of the most controversial police killings in Missouri in recent years because it resulted in the deaths of both a mother and her 12-week-old daughter. Although prosecutors cleared White of criminal wrongdoing, the incident generated widespread public criticism, substantial civil litigation, and continuing debate over police responses to mental health crises involving children and family members.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.kmbc.com/article/independence-missouri-shooting-larkspur-lane/62843985
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article295217139.html
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-baby-destinys-funeral-costs
https://www.tonyskansascity.com/2024/11/independence-vigil-honors-mom-baby-girl-killed-in-police-shooting.html
https://www.hamiltoncountycoc.com/blog/2024/11/15/maria-pike-domestic-dispute-shooting
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BWC video released:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImB6Hz8i1jg
