Report: Teen Killed in Longview PD Lobby Suffered from Mental Illness

LONGVIEW (Staff/AP) � A teenager who was shot in the lobby of the Longview Police Department reportedly suffered from mental illnesses. According to KETK, much of the information comes to light on http://thinkprogress.org in an interview with Kristiana Coignard’s aunt Heather Robertson. Robertson said her niece suffered from depression and bipolar disorder ever since the girl’s mother died when Coignard was four years old. Robertson said Coignard had been hospitalized twice recently after failed suicide attempts. During one instance, Robertson said Coignard tried to hang herself and drank toilet bowl cleaner in a second attempt. She went on to tell the website Coignard didn’t have a criminal record and was “only harmful to herself.”

Coignard’s uncle posted the following comment on the Longview Police Department Facebook page:

“I am the uncle of Kristiana, for quite a few years my niece suffered from mental illness. It hurt to see all the comments said about her. They didn’t know that she had these problems, seeing her berated by quite a few people has hurt me and my family. I please ask that you pray for my family and not judge her for what she had done. She is now in a better place with her mother. Thank You.”

Authorities, including the Texas Rangers, continue to investigate the shooting. A preliminary autopsy released Monday shows Coignard died of gunshot wounds to her trunk and upper body. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the manner of death is listed as a homicide.

Meantime, the city of Longview confirmed Monday that it had been targeted by hackers. City spokesman Shawn Hara says a group posted online it targeted the city’s website. The video posted on YouTube by AnonSec 101 claims to be retaliating against Coignard’s shooting. The group is also reportedly planning a protest next month at the police station.

Hara said the city “took the appropriate steps” after being made aware of the security concern late Saturday into the early morning Sunday. “Our website did go down temporarily,” Hara reported. “As far we’re aware, nothing else was compromised, no account information.” The city has taken additional security measures and will continue to monitor the situation, according to Hara. The Longview Police Department has been made aware of the hacking but would not confirm whether or a not an investigation was taking place. Hara would not state exactly how the website was attacked.

Three police officers were placed on paid administrative leave after the incident, which prompted a temporary lockdown at police headquarters. Police say Coignard, 17, walked into the police department lobby and threatened officers with a weapon. Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said the teen walked into the building around 6:30 Thursday night, picked up an assistance phone, and called for help. When officers responded, Brian says Coignard brandished a weapon and made threatening movements toward them, after which she was fatally shot.