‘We were hurt really bad.’ Independence Family’s mother and baby were killed in a police attack

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) – Aunt and grandmother of a 2-month-old baby died in police attack Keep asking how it happened.

They said baby Destiny was being held by her mother, Maria, when the shooting occurred. Maria also died in the incident.

“We’re hurt,” said Felisha Holder, Destiny’s aunt. “It really hurt. I can’t hold her in my arms anymore. I want justice for him.”

Holder said he remembers the first time he met his nephew.

“I came to visit my mother,” Holder said. “I picked her up and said, ‘Hey, Destiny, Aunt Felisha is here,’ and she just smiled and smiled.”

The family confirmed Independence police officers responded to a domestic disturbance. Holder said Maria was violent towards her grandmother, Talisa Coombs. He said officers knew there was a baby in the apartment, and his brother told him Maria was holding Destiny when the officers opened fire.

“He didn’t negotiate,” Holder said. “He could have pepper sprayed me, he could have tasted me, but he didn’t do any of that. I don’t care what the circumstances were, that woman had a baby in her arms and that woman had mental problems. He is mentally unstable. They could find a professional to negotiate the situation so the baby would be safe. “They called the police thinking they would protect baby Destiny, but instead they killed her.”

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Holder said Maria had a history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with postpartum depression. Coombs said he goes to his son and Maria’s home almost every day to make sure Destiny is okay.

Coombs said he would not have called the police if he had known this would be the outcome.

“They asked me if I wanted to press charges, and that’s what I did,” Coombs said. “I didn’t tell them to go there and shoot them. You don’t shoot anyone with a child. They could have done anything, but they chose to kill my grandson and his mother. “If I had known the baby was in danger at the hands of the police, I would never have said anything.”

Holder started GoFundMe To cover Destiny’s funeral expenses.

Authorities haven’t released much information about the officer-involved shooting, but they did say two people — a child and a woman reportedly armed with a knife — died last week.

One Press conference last FridayChief Adam Dustman stood by his officer’s decision. Three police officers, including the officer who fired the gun, were placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.

This Friday, Oval Bahar Apartment will host memorial vigil for the deceased child. All citizens were invited to the commemoration ceremony to be held at 19.00. At the commemoration ceremony, candles will be lit and balloons will be released in front of the building where the incident took place.

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