'My heart was ripped in half' | Texas family called authorities expecting help, but instead their father ended up dead

GUADALUPE COUNTY, Texas – A tragic incident occurred on August 27, 2024, when 77-year-old Kenneth Grimm, a Navy veteran suffering from Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and dementia, was shot and killed by a deputy from the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office. Grimm's family had called 9-1-1 expecting medical assistance, as he had cut himself, but instead, a deputy responded to the scene. In distressing video footage, Grimm's daughter-in-law, Lorie Shupp, explains his mental state to the deputy before the situation escalates.

When confronted by the deputy, Grimm, initially armed with a frying pan, was persuaded to drop it but then produced a knife. As the deputy backed away and asked him to drop the knife, he fired his weapon, hitting Grimm twice within eight seconds, leading to his death. Lorie Shupp expressed frustration, stating she pleaded with the deputy to allow her to handle the situation, indicating that the deputy ignored her presence and instructions.

The Grimm family, represented by civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen, believes that the deputy, identified as Gary Courtney, failed to de-escalate the situation. Kallinen highlighted the absence of a taser and questioned why deadly force was used instead of less lethal options. Despite their calls for accountability, a grand jury declined to indict the deputy.

Grimm's family is advocating for significant changes within the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office, urging Sheriff Joshua Ray to equip officers with tasers and enhance training focused on mental health crisis response. Rebecca Geinzer, Kenneth's first wife, emphasized the need for improved tactical responses to prevent similar tragedies.

In response to the incident, Sheriff Joshua Ray, who took office after the shooting, expressed condolences to the Grimm family and acknowledged the challenging nature of law enforcement decisions. He stated that a comprehensive review of policies and procedures is underway and that efforts are being made to secure funding for non-lethal tools like tasers, though he noted that it is uncertain whether a different outcome could have been achieved in this case.