The shooting of Christian Hall, a 19-year-old Chinese American, drew attention to police use of force in mental health crisis responses.
Key Facts
- Victim age
- 19 years old
- Date of shooting
- December 30, 2020
- Victim ethnicity
- Chinese American
- Responding agency
- Pennsylvania State Police
- Victim hometown
- Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Police received a report about Christian Hall, a 19-year-old Chinese American from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, who was suspected to be suicidal and was found in possession of a firearm. Troopers responded to the scene in Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, to address what was classified as a mental health crisis.
Pennsylvania State troopers encountered Hall on December 30, 2020. Although Hall appeared to surrender at one point, troopers shot and killed him after he allegedly picked the gun back up from the ground despite commands not to, and then raised his arms while holding the firearm.
Hall's death prompted public scrutiny over how law enforcement handles mental health crises, particularly regarding the use of lethal force. His case was cited in broader discussions about policing practices toward people of color and those experiencing mental health emergencies in the United States.