INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) — A Jackson County court approved a wrongful death settlement on May 15 to resolve the case of Destinii Hope, an 11-week-old who was shot and killed by an Independence police officer.
The lawsuit was filed by Maria Pike’s parents, Tom and Lynn Pike, and Destinii Hope’s father, Mitchell Holder. They sued Officer Jordan White and the City of Independence.
The shooting happened almost two years ago on Nov. 7, 2024, during a mental health-related call regarding Pike inside Oval Spring Apartments.
“This case exposes the limits of our mental health emergency protocols and the way we deploy officers in crisis. According to the words of the police chief, this is what our current ‘best practice’ can offer. An infant and postpartum mother senselessly paid the ultimate price for that,” said Tom Porto, the attorney representing the family.
Judge Jennifer M. Phillips approved the settlement. The amount has not been disclosed…