18-07-2025
Lawsuit filed against Independence officers in shooting that killed mother, infant daughter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The , a woman who was killed in an Independence police shooting last November alongside her infant daughter, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Jackson County against the officers who were involved.
An attorney for Tom and Lynn Pike, along with Mitchell Holder, Jr., filed suit on Thursday against Independence police officers Jordan White and Chad Cox for the Nov. 7, 2024, shooting.
The lawsuit claims that on the afternoon of Pike's death, just before 1:45 p.m., both officers were called to the on reports of a domestic disturbance.
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When the officers arrived, Holder's mother told police that Maria had hit her while she tried to see her granddaughter.
Officers then went inside the apartment building and talked with Holder in the doorway of their unit. Holder told police that before they arrived, his mother had allegedly 'unlawfully' entered their apartment through a sliding glass door.
After his mother entered, Holder claimed he asked her to leave, but she refused, forcing he and Pike to physically force her out of their apartment.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege the officers disregarded Holder's story and made the 'unlawful decision' to arrest Pike and remove their nearly 3-month-old daughter, Destinii Hope, from their custody.
The lawsuit states officers knew Pike struggled with mental health issues, specifically but proceeded to try to remove the baby. Previously released bodycam footage showed Pike shaking her head in response to officer's questions while holding the baby, but not speaking.
'Both officers recognized Maria (Pike) suffered from some type of mental illness, and knew from their training and experience that forcibly removing [Destinii] from Maria's arms would likely escalate into violence, resulting in harm to Maria and [Destinii], unless the officers took some appropriate measures to avoid such harm,' the lawsuit said.
When Pike refused to hand over her baby, the lawsuit claims the officers chose to take action and tried to remove Destinii from her arms.
The lawsuit alleges officers then 'prepared' for an altercation with Maria, anticipating that someone could get hurt, and 'physically closed in' on her and her daughter.
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Bodycam footage showed Officer White backing into a closet as Pike grabbed a knife from a bedside table, and approached White. He then shot Pike, who was also holding Destinii. .
The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office declined to criminally charge both officers in March 2025, citing use of force laws in Missouri. Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said the officer's use of deadly force fell within the protection of the law.
Pike's family and Holder are suing for compensatory damages, punitive damages, prejudgment and post-judgment interest as provided by law and equity, court costs and other further relief that may be necessary.
On Thursday, FOX4 reached out to Independence Police for comment. A spokesperson said the police department does not comment on pending litigation.
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