On September 16, 2017, Scout Schultz, a 21-year-old student of the Georgia Institute of Technology, was shot once and killed by Tyler Beck, an officer of the Georgia Tech Police Department. Schultz was carrying a multitool and walked towards the police, asking them to shoot. The incident was followed by protests and civil unrest, which led to multiple arrests. Schultz's parents filed a wrongful death suit. The shooting was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In March 2020, it was announced that Tyler Beck would not face charges.
Schultz, a 21-year-old student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, called 9-1-1 on September 16, 2017, around 11:17 p.m. Schultz said there was a suspicious person on campus with a knife and possibly a gun. Schultz gave a description matching Schultz's own appearance, saying that the person had long blond hair, a white t-shirt, and blue jeans, and said that the person might be intoxicated. Four police officers approached Schultz outside a dormitory on campus. Schultz had a multitool, which included a small knife, but no gun. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the multitool's blade was not extended. Schultz refused to drop the multitool and walked towards the police, with arms hanging down, while shouting "shoot me!" Schultz was shot and shortly after was pronounced dead at the Grady Memorial Hospital. The incident was captured on a cell-phone video. Three suicide notes were found in Schultz's dorm room. The police officer who shot Schultz was identified as Tyler Beck. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Beck was certified by the Georgia Peace Officer and Standards Training Council but had not undergone Crisis Intervention Training, which trains police on how to handle mentally ill suspects." Shortly after the shooting, Beck was put on paid leave.
Aftermath and reactions
Schultz's family attorney, Chris Stewart, said the police overreacted. Stewart said the idea that the death was a "suicide by cop" did not justify what happened. He also said, "The area was secured. There was no one around at risk." Schultz's mother, Lynne Schultz, suggested the police should have used pepper spray or Tasers instead of gunning them down. Scout's father, William Schultz, said at a news conference, "Why did you have to shoot? That's the only question that matters right now. Why did you kill my son?" G. P. "Bud" Peterson, the president of Georgia Tech, said the shooting was a "heart-wrenchingly painful time" for the university. Despite Schultz not finishing senior year, Georgia Tech awarded them a diploma. The shooting was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In September 2018, with the investigation still on-going, the parents announced that they had grown frustrated with the lack of criminal charges. Schultz's parents files a wrongful death suit naming the university, Tyler Beck, and the Georgia Board of Regents in September 2019. In March 2020, the county's district attorney announced that Beck would not face charges, saying that, according to use-of-force experts, the shooting was justified.
Vigil and protest
A peaceful vigil for Schultz was held on campus on September 18. Twenty minutes later, about 50 protesters marched through campus while carrying a banner which read "Protect LGBTQ" and chanting "Justice Now". The protest turned violent and a police car was set on fire. Three people were arrested, one of them a Georgia Tech student. They were charged with "inciting a riot and battery of an officer." In the following weeks three more people were arrested for "misdemeanor obstruction of law enforcement." Schultz's parents appealed for calm. On September 22, a teach-in and protest occurred at Georgia Tech, which led to the Student Center building being closed early at 3 p.m.
