Louisville Police Chief Moves to Fire Officer and Launch Criminal Investigation After Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Man in Mental Health Crisis
A major development has unfolded in Louisville after the police chief announced disciplinary and criminal proceedings against an officer involved in a fatal shooting of an unarmed man during a mental health emergency response.
Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Chief Paul Humphrey confirmed during a press conference that Officer Nathan Stotts will be terminated following the shooting death of 27-year-old Martin Nitzken Jr. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has triggered both an internal disciplinary process and a parallel criminal investigation.
According to body camera footage released by the department, Nitzken was unarmed, naked, and visibly disoriented when officers arrived at the scene. Emergency dispatch audio revealed that callers had reported he was experiencing a severe mental health crisis, with his girlfriend and a neighbor both describing him as “bipolar” and undergoing a “mental break.”
The footage shows that when Officer Stotts arrived, Nitzken was lying in the street before standing and stumbling toward the officer despite repeated commands to stop. Stotts then fired a single shot, striking Nitzken in the neck. Officials confirmed that no less-lethal force options were used prior to the shooting.
Chief Humphrey stated that the officer’s actions did not meet departmental standards or training requirements, particularly regarding de-escalation and use-of-force protocols. He emphasized that the decision to move forward with termination was based on a review of the officer’s performance during the incident.
“This is not an acceptable performance for us,” Humphrey said. “This does not meet our training, it is not what we teach and it does not meet our values.”
Following the shooting, Stotts reportedly kept his firearm trained on the victim and did not immediately provide medical assistance. Nitzken was pronounced dead at the scene.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg publicly supported the police chief’s decision, stating that officers must be held accountable when their actions fail to meet community expectations. He also confirmed that the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is involved in the ongoing criminal investigation.
The case has reignited debate in Louisville about how law enforcement responds to mental health emergencies. Advocacy groups and local officials have raised concerns that multiple recent fatal police encounters involved individuals experiencing psychiatric crises.
Earlier this year, after another fatal police shooting, city leaders discussed expanding a co-responder model that would pair mental health professionals with police officers. However, Mayor Greenberg stated on Tuesday that while discussions are ongoing, no timeline has been set for implementation.
Officials say both internal investigators and independent prosecutors will continue reviewing evidence, including body camera footage, witness statements, and dispatch audio, to determine whether further charges will be filed.
Community leaders in the district where the shooting occurred have described the incident as tragic and are calling for greater investment in crisis intervention training and alternative response systems.
FAQ
What happened in the Louisville police shooting case?
An unarmed 27-year-old man, Martin Nitzken Jr., was shot and killed by a Louisville police officer during a response to a reported mental health crisis. The officer has since been moved toward termination and is under criminal investigation.
Why is the officer being fired?
Police officials stated that the officer did not follow proper training or use de-escalation techniques or less-lethal options before using deadly force.
Was the man armed during the incident?
No. Authorities confirmed that Martin Nitzken Jr. was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Is there a criminal investigation?
Yes. Louisville Metro Police confirmed that a criminal investigation is underway alongside internal disciplinary proceedings.
Are officials changing how mental health crises are handled?
City leaders have discussed expanding a co-responder program involving mental health professionals, but no implementation timeline has been confirmed.