Christopher Kalonji

How they died

Deadly force

One of Kalonji's relatives called police claiming the 19-year-old was threatening family members with a rifle. Police negotiators and staff with the county's behavioral health unit responded. Police spoke to Kalonji for two and a half hours, until SWAT members arrived, the sheriff's office said. At some point, deputies spotted Kalonji waving a rifle. One deputy fired a handgun, another shot a rifle and one more fired at least one beanbag round. After the officers fired, Kalonji retreated into his second-floor apartment and locked himself inside one of the rooms. Kraus said the deputies heard at least one shot come from inside the unit. It's uncertain who shot and/or killed Kalonji.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Christopher Kalonji, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources