Latest news with #Lindquist
Miami Herald
18-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Cops shot at 30-year-old mom 23 times during mental health crisis in WA, suit says
A city in Washington will pay $2 million to the family of 30-year-old Katelynn Rose Smith, who was shot to death by police officers responding to a 911 call from her boyfriend, who had repeatedly asked for help, her family's attorneys announced. The payment resolves a wrongful death lawsuit that Smith's mother, Danielle Whiting, brought against the city of Longview and three officers in November on six causes of actions, including negligence, according to a news release issued by her attorneys, Mark Lindquist and Angus Lee. Longview agreed on June 16 to pay the $2 million settlement to Whiting and Smith's two children, Lindquist and Lee said, settling the case before trial, which was set for April 21, 2026. Smith's children, now 9 and 14, were 8 and 12 years old when officers shot at Smith 23 times, killing her outside her boyfriend's home on New Year's Day, as detailed in the federal lawsuit. At least 11 bullets hit Smith, according to the suit, which argued the shooting was unnecessary and in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Smith was protected under the federal civil rights law, as the officers knew she was experiencing 'a severe mental health crisis, including suicidal ideation and emotional distress, constituting a recognized disability under the ADA,' the filing says. 'She was kind and loving,' Danielle Whiting, Smith's mother, told McClatchy News. 'She had her whole life ahead of her.' Whiting is now the primary caregiver for her grandchildren, Lindquist, of Mark Lindquist Law in Tacoma, told McClatchy News. In a statement shared with McClatchy News on June 17 by Longview public information officer Angela Abel, the city said it is aware of the settlement reached with Smith's family and that the agreement was overseen by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority. 'Following the incident, all involved officers were cleared of wrongdoing through an internal investigation, an external review, and an independent assessment by the Cowlitz County Prosecutor's Office,' the city said. The city's statement said that after the prosecutor's office reviewed Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team's findings, prosecutors 'determined the use of deadly force was justified and declined to file criminal charges.' The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team independently investigates officers involved in using deadly force in Cowlitz County as well as neighboring Wahkiakum County. 'The City of Longview takes this matter very seriously and remains confident in our officers, the training they receive, and the protocols they follow,' the city said. Lindquist told McClatchy News that 'the mistakes we saw in this case are not unique to Longview.' 'Many law enforcement agencies need more and better training on how to handle people who are having a mental health crisis,' he added. The Longview Police Department did not return a request for comment. Lindquist and Lee said in the release that Smith graduated high school in 2012 as an honors student, describing her as athletic. She did gymnastics and played high school volleyball. 'She was regularly employed, but occasionally struggled with mental health issues,' they said. What led to the shooting? One of the officers involved in the Jan. 1, 2024, shooting was familiar with Smith and had responded to a prior incident when she was struggling and in need of help, according to the filing. In June 2023, her boyfriend told officers Smith was having a mental health crisis, 'had not been taking her prescribed medications and had attempted self-harm,' the lawsuit says. They assessed Smith, then restrained her and placed her onto a gurney to take her to a medical center where she received treatment under the Involuntary Treatment Act, according to the filing. The lawsuit says her struggles with mental health persisted. On Jan. 1, 2024, she was having a 'severe mental health crisis' and 'announced she intended to end her life,' Lindquist and Lee wrote in the filing. ' That day, she tried to get a gun from inside her boyfriend's home but he physically prevented her from doing so and called 911, as he understood her serious mental health emergency, according to the lawsuit. While on the phone with a dispatcher for about 10 minutes, he said Smith urgently needed help and repeatedly pleaded for assistance, saying she was harming herself, the lawsuit says. After about 12 minutes of him on the phone with a dispatcher, police arrived, according to the lawsuit. When officers found Smith's boyfriend trying to protect her by physically stopping her from entering his home, where firearms were located, they told him to 'back away,' the lawsuit says. Her boyfriend listened and let go of Smith, who then went inside, without the officers intervening, according to the filing. 'Instead, they took up positions outside the home's entrance with weapons drawn, waiting for her to come outside,' the complaint says. At some point, Smith slowly came outside with what the lawsuit says was an unloaded firearm in her hand. In response, officers repeatedly shot her, striking her leg, stomach, chest and in her head, according to the lawsuit, which says they failed to use less-lethal force. 'Ms. Smith suffered immediate emotional distress, shock, and extreme pain,' Lindquist and Lee wrote. One officer had a 40mm impact launcher known as a 'sponge gun' that could have stopped Smith, but did not use it, according to the attorneys, who said they opened fire on Smith when she pointed the unloaded gun toward them. 'This case shows the devastating consequences of tactical failure and disregard for a person in mental health crisis,' Lee said in a statement. 'Police knew she was suicidal and knew there were guns in the home.' 'Instead of preventing access, they created the very danger that led to her death,' Lee added.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida man wins $25 million, the largest scratch-off jackpot in state history: officials
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Talk about a life-changing pit stop! A Florida man is now living every lottery player's dream after scoring the largest scratch-off jackpot in state history. Kyle Lindquist, 45, of Venice, hit the jackpot after buying a $50 500X THE CASH scratch-off ticket at a Circle K on U.S. Highway 41 Bypass S in Sarasota County. What started as a routine stop turned into a $25 million payday — the biggest jackpot ever offered on a Florida scratch-off game, according to lottery officials. Lindquist claimed his massive prize at the Florida Lottery district office in Fort Myers and opted for a one-time lump sum payment of $16 million. As for the Circle K that sold the lucky ticket? They're celebrating too — the store is receiving a $50,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. The 500X THE CASH has one remaining top prize of $25 million. The odds of winning are 1 in 21,920,355. You can claim your earnings in-person or by mail depending on the prize amount. By the numbers In person: Prizes up to $599 can be claimed at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery District Office. Prizes between $600 and $1,000,000 can be claimed in-person at any Florida Lottery District Office (via walk-in or appointment) for games without an annual payment option. Prizes over $1,000,000 and prizes with annual payments must be claimed at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, except for Mega Millions and Powerball prizes between $600 - $1,000,000. By mail: Lottery officials say you can choose to claim your winnings by mail as long as the prize is $250,000 or less. The Florida Lottery accepts winning tickets at the following address: 250 Marriott Drive Tallahassee, Florida, 32399. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Lottery on April 18, 2025.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sarasota County man wins $25 million jackpot, largest ever for Florida Lottery scratch game
A Sarasota County man has won the largest jackpot ever offered on a Florida Lottery scratch-off game. Kyle Lindquist, 45, of Venice, claimed his record-breaking $25 million prize on April 18, 2025, at the Lottery's Fort Myers District Office. He opted for a one-time, lump-sum payment of $16 million, Florida Lottery officials reported. Lindquist bought the winning 500X THE CASH Scratch-Off game ticket for $50 at Circle K, 101 U.S. Bypass S. in Venice. The retailer received a $50,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket. "The $50 500X THE CASH Scratch-Off game features a top prize of $25 million — the largest ever offered on a Florida Scratch-Off game — and the best odds to become an instant millionaire!" the Florida Lottery said in a news release on its website. According to the Florida Lottery, the 500X THE CASH game offers $1.66 billion in cash prizes. The game's overall odds of winning are 1 in 4.23. Two days earlier, on April 16, Gary Moore of Bradenton claimed a $1 million prize from the same game. That ticket was purchased at a Bradenton Circle K. No. Florida Lottery winners can't remain anonymous. According to the Florida Lottery, Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide the winner's name, city of residence, along with the game, date and amount won to any third party who requests the information. However, Florida Lottery winners' home addresses and telephone numbers are confidential. $25,000,000: 1-in-21,920,355 $1,000,000: 1-in-274,004 $50,000: 1-in-117,851 $20,000: 1-in-20,166 $10,000: 1-in-20,101 $5,000: 1-in-6,008 $1,000: 1-in-1,001 $500: 1-in-46 $100: 1-in-5 Match any of your numbers or any of the bonus numbers to any winning number to win prize shown for that number. Get a "2X", "5X", "10X", "20X", "50X", "100X" or "500X" symbol and win 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 or 500 times the prize shown for that symbol! Get a "star" symbol and win double all 40 prizes. Tickets are $50 apiece. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Venice man wins $25 million jackpot on Florida Lottery scrach ticket
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Venice man buys $50 scratch-off ticket at Circle K, wins $25 million top prize
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Venice man is now a multi-millionaire after he bought a top prize-winning ticket at a Circle K. The Florida Lottery announced that 45-year-old Kyle Lindquist claimed a $25 million top prize from the 500X THE CASH scratch-off game at the Lottery's Fort Myers District Office. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $16,000,000. More Florida Lottery stories: Venice man buys $50 scratch-off ticket at Circle K, wins $25 million top prize Ruskin man takes home $2M prize after buying $10 scratch-off ticket at gas station Bradenton man wins $1 million from scratch-off game purchased at Circle K Florida man wins $1 million playing scratch-off game According to the lottery, Lindquist bought the winning ticket at the Circle K located at 101 U.S. Highway 41 Bypass S. in Venice. The convenience store received a $50,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket. The $50 scratch-off game features a top prize of $25 million, which is the largest ever offered on a Florida scratch-off game. The game's overall odds of winning are 1 in 4.23. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boeing settles lawsuit hours before trial to start in Chicago
Boeing has agreed to settle in the deadly 737 Max 8 crash in Ethiopia, on the eve of the first trial after the fatal 2019 crash. Lawyers for the relatives of two victims in that deadly Ethiopian Air crash were in Chicago for the start of the trial. But late last night, they reached a settlement with the aerospace giant. It took six years for the families to get to this point. And it comes nearly five years after Boeing accepted legal responsibility for the deadly crash. Still, the first trial in this case was to start today. 'This morning, I expected we would be picking a jury,' Lindquist said. 'But late last night, the case finally resolved.' Tacoma-based lawyer Mark Lindquist was in Chicago for what was to be the start of the first trial in the deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash. The 737 Max 8 had just taken off from the airport in Addis Ababa when it crashed in March 2019. Forty-six-year-old Darcy Belanger and 39-year-old Antoine Lewis were among the 157 people who died that day. Attorney Lindquist says Belanger's widow agreed to the settlement because it shows Boeing is taking responsibility. 'And the closure,' said Lindquist. 'Time for her to move on with her life.' Less than five months earlier, a 737 Max 8 jet crashed into the Java Sea, killing everyone on board. These two crashes focused a harsh spotlight on the FAA, Boeing, and its MCAS system, blamed for putting the Max 8s into a fatal nosedive. Just last week, Boeing's CEO was still defending the company's safety record. 'I've talked to our airline customers,' Kelly Ortberg told Congress. 'They're frustrated with us because we're late on aircraft delivery, as you pointed out. But they also know we have to do this right.' In a statement, Boeing offered its condolences. 'We made an upfront commitment to fully and fairly compensate the families and accepted legal responsibility for the accidents,' the statement continued. 'We will continue to work to fairly resolve the claims of the family members.' Mark Lindquist said he could not tell us how much money Boeing is paying to settle these two cases, but the aerospace giant revealed it has paid out billions of dollars in compensation to the families and their lawyers. Lindquist says the message to Boeing is that safety should always come first.
