'My heart was ripped in half' | Texas family called authorities expecting help, but instead their father ended up dead
In Seguin, Texas, a tragic incident unfolded on August 27, 2024, involving 77-year-old Navy veteran Kenneth Grimm, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and dementia. When his family called 9-1-1 seeking assistance after Grimm cut himself, they were hoping for medical help, but instead, a deputy from the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office responded. The family believes this response led to a fatal confrontation.
The chaotic encounter with Deputy Gary Courtney was captured on video, where Grimm's daughter-in-law, Lorie Shupp, attempted to inform the officer about her father-in-law's medical conditions. Despite her efforts to handle the situation, it escalated when Grimm, feeling threatened, pulled out a knife after initially being convinced to drop a frying pan. In a quick and tragic decision, the deputy shot Grimm twice within eight seconds, resulting in his death.
The family has expressed deep concern over the use of deadly force, suggesting that alternatives such as deploying a taser or shooting to incapacitate rather than kill could have changed the outcome. Civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen, representing the family, stated that the grand jury's decision not to indict Deputy Courtney shows the need for better training and crisis management in similar incidents.
Calls for change were echoed by family members who urged the sheriff's office to implement new policies, including the provision of tasers and the creation of a mental health crisis team to better address situations involving individuals with mental health issues. Rebecca Geinzer, Grimm’s first wife, highlighted the profound grief caused by the events of that day, emphasizing the importance of proper training to prevent such tragedies in the future.
In response to the incident, Sheriff Joshua Ray, who was not in office at the time, expressed condolences and outlined the ongoing efforts to review and improve departmental policies. He acknowledged the complexities of law enforcement situations and affirmed plans to equip officers with non-lethal tools, while also conducting a comprehensive review of practices within the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office.