Wellness Check Gone Horribly Wrong

While conducting a welfare check, a police officer in Nebraska shot and killed a 17 year old. This event occurred on Tuesday, February 6th, in Columbus.

A police welfare check, commonly known as a wellness check, is when police go to a person’s home to ensure they are okay. The welfare checks do not require a court order, as long as police have reasonable grounds to believe that the person in the residence is endangered.

These requests are commonly made by friends, family, and neighbors.

The 17-year-old boy was shot and killed by an officer with the Columbus Police Department Tuesday afternoon, who were conducting a welfare check. https://t.co/kBaTGsUPyc

— Akron Beacon Journal (@beaconjournal) February 8, 2024

ABC News has more on the story:

“The Columbus Police Department was conducting a welfare check on a subject following a report of potential self-harm,” Nebraska State Patrol said in a press release.

During the response, an officer shot the 17-year-old boy, state police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, state police said.

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The Columbus Police Officer has not yet been publicly identified.

1011 Now News has more on the location and the incident:

The Columbus Police Department said officers went to 41st Avenue and 38th Street Tuesday at 1 p.m. to conduct a welfare check on a teenage boy who was potentially harming himself.

The Columbus Police Department requested the Nebraska State Patrol to conduct the in-custody death investigation.

People on X have voiced their opinions over the incident:

Welfare check = shooting death, hmmm sounds about right? Was there no deescalating attempt or threat against the officer? So many questions.

— Brandon Wilson (@bswilson23) February 8, 2024

Officers are trained to handle welfare checks, but this tragic incident highlights the need for continued improvement in mental health crisis response.

— anacristinaa (@anynha323) February 8, 2024

The police investigation is ongoing, and the name of the 17 year old has not yet been released.