Death by Cop 2022-2024
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Desman LaDuke
Gender : Male
Age : 22
Race : Black
Date : 11/21/2023
Location : Wilmore Road and Baybrook Circle
City : Nicholasville
County : Jessamine
State : Kentucky
Agency : Jessamine County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) :Joseph Horton, SRT commander Jason Fraddosio
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
Desman LaDuke, 22, was killed by police on November 21, 2023, in Nicholasville, Kentucky, after law enforcement responded to a mental health crisis at his home on Wilmore Road and Baybrook Circle. LaDuke, experiencing a mental health emergency, refused to leave his home despite attempts by his girlfriend to reach out for help. The Jessamine County Sheriff's Office, led by Officer Joseph Horton and SRT commander Jason Fraddosio, called in a Special Response Team (SRT) despite the lack of any criminal behavior or immediate threat. The officers, equipped with rifles, confronted LaDuke, and after an escalation, LaDuke was fatally shot by an SRT sniper who fired at him through the window, killing him inside of his home. Police later claimed that he had pointed weapons at them, which the family vehemently denies.
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SRT FIRING SQUAD
In the aftermath, LaDuke’s family, supported by activists, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the officers involved, including claims of excessive force, negligence, and failure to adhere to proper mental health crisis protocols. The lawsuit also points to inadequate training within the SRT, and the officers’ lack of preparedness for handling such situations.
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COMMUNITY RESPONSE:
The community has rallied around LaDuke’s family, organizing protests and memorials. A notable rally took place in Nicholasville, where attendees marched to LaDuke's home and the courthouse, demanding justice and better mental health crisis responses from local authorities. Activists, including Sarah Williams and Precious Taylor, have voiced concerns about the police’s handling of the situation, emphasizing the need for proper mental health crisis intervention.
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OFFICER CLEARED
Officer Joseph Horton was cleared in the fatal shooting of Desman LaDuke. A grand jury concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge him with any wrongdoing. The shooting occurred after LaDuke, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, allegedly pointed firearms at officers during negotiations. Despite the family’s assertion that LaDuke was not a threat, the grand jury’s decision led to the officer’s exoneration.
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LAWSUIT
The LaDuke family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in response to the incident, claiming that the situation should have been handled with better mental health crisis intervention.
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Updated on: 11/21/2024
SOURCE LINKS :
https://fox56news.com/news/local/1-dead-following-officer-involved-shooting-in-nicholasville/
https://www.jessaminejournal.com/2022/11/23/rally-for-justice-in-laduke-case-held/
https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2022/11/02/nicholasville-police-shooting-desman-laduke
