Information on Shooting of Longview Teen Turned Over to the D.A.

LONGVIEW — The Texas Rangers have turned over to The Gregg County district attorney’s office the information they have gathered concerning the shooting of a teen at the Longview Police Department. The information will now be presented to the Gregg County Grand Jury. It concerns the shooting death of Kristiana Coignard, 17. Just before 6:30pm on January 22nd, the teen entered the police station and 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 her 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 Coignard.

During the physical confrontation, Officer Derr determined she had a large butcher knife, which she was attempting to pull out of her waist band. According to the video, Officer Derr was able to 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 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.

The autopsy, performed by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas, also reported a “faint brown pentagon mark” on Coignard’s upper abdomen and scarring consistent with prior suicide attempts. There were “clusters of numerous horizontal linear scars, in various stages of healing.” There were also scars, up to one inch long, in the middle of her stomach, as well as scarring on her wrists, legs, and forearms. Coignard did not have synthetic marijuana or alcohol in her bloodstream at the time of the shooting. There is no indication testing was done for other substances, including opiates, such as Hydrocodone, although, Coignard’s parents said after her death she had been seeing a counselor and was “on medication.”

Officers found a suicide note on the teen. It read, “This is no one’s fault but my own. I’ve tried getting help, but it never worked. Things would seem to get better, just to get twice as bad. My mental health is a joke; I don’t deserve to live. You will all be much better off without me. As cliche’ as that sounds, I know it’s true. You all tried so hard to help me…I’m not worth it. I hate myself, every second of every day. Anyone who doesn’t was just fooled into thinking I’m an actual decent human being. I’m not completely sure what’s out there, but I have an idea and I’m not scared. I will be in a better place. I’m so sorry for this and everything else. I deserve to die. I’m mentally ill and so by removing myself from society, I’m doing everyone a favor. This is the right choice. I can’t take it anymore. I’m sorry and I love all of you.

“~ Kristiana Joy Coignard”

Her parents said Coignard was on medication at the time of the shooting and was seeking treatment. She also had “episodes” in the past.

All three officers involved in the shooting have been returned to duty.