Kurtz, a homeless man, was reportedly suicidal and armed with a knife. When police responded he held the knife to his own chest before approaching officers with it, authorities said. Officers said they fatally shot him when he continued to approach with the knife and a Taser failed to stop him.
Victim's Name: Michael S. Kurtz
Agency Responsible: Spokane Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 45
Race: White
Date of Death: April 28, 2016
County: Spokane
Cause of Death: Gunshot, Taser
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: knife
Threat Level: other
Fleeing: Not fleeing
Body Camera: Yes
Washington Post Database ID: 1500
Geography: Urban