The three-part series sought to understand why so many fatal police shootings in New Hampshire involved someone with a mental illness.
After combing through the product of several public records requests, I determined that more than 60% of people shot and killed by New Hampshire police over the last decade had a mental illness- a statistic that had never been reported before. Interviews with law enforcement, family members of victims and mental health advocates revealed that this statistic represents a breakdown of the state’s mental health system, which has failed to help people before they reach a point of crisis.
The series focuses around the death of one man, David Donovan, who was shot while in the throes of a crisis in Nov. 2020.
The first story in the series brings readers through a year of Donovan’s failed attempts to get mental health treatment- the repeated admissions to the local hospital, the subsequent discharges, and the frequent interactions with police who could do nothing but transport him to a doctor. The article culminates with a retelling of Nov. 15, the night he was killed, from his mother’s perspective, who stood feet away when her son was shot.
The second story shows readers the raw aftermath of a shooting for the officers involved. Kevin O’Reilly, the officer who shot and killed Donovan, ultimately retired from the police force after struggling with PTSD and depression stemming from the shooting. O’Reilly’s experience pointed to a larger issue: many officers feel they are without sufficient resources and training to help those struggling with an untreated mental illness. Even so, mental health-related calls often consume the vast majority of their time.
The final story in the series evaluates a number of potential solutions to the problem, including police training programs, mobile crisis units, and independent review committees of police shootings.