Kathleen C. Neuburger

Deadly force

Neuburger was sitting on a jetty, which extended approximately 30 feet from the shoreline into the Walnut Creek Access Area of Lake Erie. She appeared distraught. After she fired a shot from a handgun into the lake, witnesses called 911. Troopers Thompson, Sibbald, Barnes and Temel arrived. Neuburger remained at the end of the jetty facing the water. Approaching from directly behind the jetty, Trooper Barnes spoke with Neuburger, who was crying unintelligibly. Among other things, he told her to put down her gun. Neuburger responded by telling the troopers to "get away from her and [to] not make her do this." The troopers continued approaching. Still facing the lake, and with her feet in the water, Neuburger raised her arm and pointed the gun out across the water. Neuburger began to pivot toward Trooper Barnes with her arm holding the gun extended. Trooper Thompson then shot Neuburger in the head and neck, knocking her into the water and killing her.