Officers Involved in Fatal Longview Shooting Back at Work

LONGVIEW — All three Longview officers involved in the fatal shooting of a teenager are now back on the job. Public Information Officer Kristie Brian tells KETK officers Glenn Derr and Grace Bagley returned to work last week. Officer Gene Duffie was back on the force February 9th.

January 22nd, Kristiana Coignard entered the police station, picked up the after-hours phone, called public safety communications, and asked for help. When asked what she needed, she refused to tell the operator what the problem was. Police officers were dispatched to the lobby a short time later. When Officer Glenn Derr arrived, Coignard indicated to him she had a gun. According to police, the words “I have a gun,” were written on her hand. This resulted in a physical confrontation when Officer Derr attempted to secure the girl. She was shot when officers say she pulled a knife.

During the physical confrontation, Officer Glenn Derr determined she had a large butcher knife which she was attempting to pull out of her waist band. According a video of the incident, Officer Derr was able to get away from Coignard. At this time, Officer Gene Duffie entered the lobby and drew his taser. When a third officer, identified as Officer Grace Bagley, entered the lobby, she saw Coginard had a knife. As Coignard charged Officer Derr with the knife in what’s termed a threatening manner, Officer Duffie shot his Taser at Coignard, but it had no affect on the teen. Officer Derr then discharged his gun three times and Officer Bagley fired her gun twice.

EMS was called to the scene and Coignard was taken to a local hospital at 6:45 p.m. She was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace James Mathis. As a result the three officers involved were placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.