Patrick Warren Sr.
Patrick Warren Sr. was shot and killed by a police officer responding to a mental health crisis call in Killeen, Texas. The case raised questions about police responses to mental health emergencies.
On January 10, 2021, the family of Patrick Warren Sr., 52, called a non-emergency mental health line seeking help for a psychiatric crisis. Killeen, Texas police officer Reynaldo Contreras responded to the call.
According to police, Warren became combative and was tased by Contreras. When the taser did not subdue him, Contreras shot Warren three times, killing him. Warren's family disputed the police account.
The family said they had specifically called for mental health assistance, not armed police response. They argued that Contreras escalated the situation rather than using de-escalation techniques.
The case drew national attention and calls for reform in how police departments respond to mental health calls. The Warren family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Killeen.
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