McMains: Crisis Negotiations: Managing Critical Incidents and Hostage Situations in Law Enforcement and Corrections, 4th Edition

Case Studies with Questions and Answers

Chapter 06: Crisis Management: Negotiating with the Emotionally Disturbed and Mentally Ill

One day in early March, 2008, Louisville Metro Police department received a call from the University of Louisville in Kentucky asking for assistance in escorting a female student who was experiencing "mental health issues" off campus. Moments later, the police department received a second call from the same location, this time with a much more frightened voice on the other end. The same woman whom counselors had called seeking assistance with, had brandished a firearm and was holding one of the counselors hostage.

After being immediately dispatched to the University, officers found student Gail Coontz, 37, holding one of the health counselors hostage. The officers were able to successfully disarm and detain Coontz. No one during the incident was injured and Coontz was immediately transported to the Kentucky's University Hospital.

Though it may have seemed as if the incident had been resolved, counselors were still concerned for the mental stability of Coontz and the safety of her children. Prior to the first call, Coontz had been making threats towards her children, whom were not with her on campus, but at home. The counselors expressed deep concern that Coontz may have harmed her children and asked officers to pursue an investigation on the threat she made earlier.

Upon arriving at Coontz's home, officers found both of Coontz's children, 14 year old Greg Coontz and 11 year old Nikki Coontz , dead. The children had been shot to death. Prior to this incident, Coontz had no criminal record nor was known by her neighbors to have been a "bad mother" or even "mentally disturbed."

Questions

Could anything have been done to prevent the death of Coontz's children?

Correct Answer

No. Although it was clear that she had been suffering from some kind of mental disorder, she suppressed her tendencies so well that not even those who lived around her would have noticed.

Are Coontz's actions indicative of a mental disorder or bad lap in judgment?

Correct Answer

Yes. Although it was the professional that had been taken hostage, it had been confirmed that mentally, Coontz was not "all there."

What could have been done to have caught Coontz's mental illness sooner?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

Unfortunately, mental illnesses are similar to drugs in that many people can function regardless of their illness/addiction. However the individual has to be willing to seek help whenever the onset of illness takes place. Had counselors known about Coontz's threats to harm her child prior to the day of the incident, they should have notified the proper authorities.