Family speaks out after fatal incident with Columbia police | Mid-Missouri News

COLUMBIA – Two weeks after a Target 8 investigation examined Columbia police’s response to mental health crisis cases, KOMU 8 News is putting a family at the center of its report.

Columbia police shot and killed Marquis Rivera last year after he called police about suicidal thoughts.

In the family’s first televised interview since KOMU 8 News obtained bodycam video of the incident, Rivera’s family says they want to see fundamental changes in policing.

“He was very passionate and loving towards people,” said Katuiscia Penette, Rivera’s mother.

In bodycam video reviewed by KOMU 8, two Columbia police officers, George Chiang and Andrew Gilstrap, were seen talking to Rivera in his apartment complex.

“You don’t want to talk to anyone about this?” Officer Chiang said, asking Rivera if he wanted to see a psychiatrist. “I think that would be a good idea.”

Rivera declined the offer to get help and said he wanted to return to his house. Chiang and Gilstrap left the house after about 20 minutes.

“They didn’t do enough,” Penette said. “Because this was definitely more than a cry for help.”

Penette says her son did not receive enough professional help, as evidenced by Rivera calling the police again and asking for help.

When officers returned, Rivera pointed a gun at them and began firing in their direction. Minutes later, police shot and killed Rivera.

“(If a psychologist were present) he would probably feel like someone was really trying to connect with him and help him,” Penette said.

The Target 8 investigation revealed that the Columbia Police Department does not have a crisis intervention team.

Police declined to comment for this story, citing ongoing litigation. Lt. Clint Sinclair of the department’s Professional Standards Bureau told KOMU 8 News in a previous report that each case is different and requires officer discretion.

“If we get into a situation where a person may be armed – and that person is a danger only to themselves – then the security priorities say we are not going to put anyone else at risk because of that person,” Sinclair said in the June 3 article, “including the police.”

Penette said the hardest part for her to accept her son’s death was seeing him suffer.

“He didn’t come forward,” Penette said. “I think he could have come forward even if he didn’t want to contact me. I just wish he would have contacted someone other than the police.”

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.