Phillip Conatser

How they died

Deadly force

Phillip Conatser's mother called 311 afraid that her mentally ill son might hurt her. Conatser was armed with a Taser and two steak knives, and she wanted psychiatric help for him. When several North Las Vegas police officers arrived, a dispatcher told Conatser to go outside, and police used several less-lethal options on him when he came out swinging a knife. A police dog was also used, but pepper spray in the air prevented it from reaching Conatser. He cut one officer on the hand with the knife before briefly returning inside. When he ran outside a second time with a knife, officers shot him.

Why we remember them

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

References & sources