Vera Sue Cata

How they died

Deadly force

Cata had called 911 minutes earlier, threatening to kill herself and everybody at the convenience store if any police officers responded, police said. Cata's husband also had called 911 twice saying his wife had been drinking and was suicidal. When Lovato arrived at the convenience store, Cata jumped into an orange pickup truck and pointed a gun at Lovato and said she would kill him. Cata did not fire any shots before Lovato fired three shots from his service handgun. Cata's gun was fake.

Why we remember them

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

References & sources