Marquis Rivera

Hi, my name is Katiana Edwards and I am fundraising for my brother Marquis Rivera, who was killed by Columbia Police Department in Missouri. The money raised will be used for lawyer and private investigator fees... Please read his story below.

My brother, Marquis Rivera, was 22 years old, and lived in Columbia, Missouri. During the time, Marquis faced overwhelming challenges. Relationship issues and personal issues led him to a point where he felt he couldn't continue living but desperately sought help.

On August 4th, 2023, at 3:05 p.m., Marquis made a distress call to the police, expressing his urgent need for assistance. When officers arrived at his residence, they found Marquis seated outside his apartment. He openly admitted to being a threat to himself, expressing his desire to end his life. Despite his plea for help, the officers didn't offer adequate support beyond repeatedly questioning him.

Despite knowing that Marquis had a gun in his home, and intended to harm himself, the officers, inadequately trained in handling mental health crises, left him without proper intervention. Instead, they contacted his ex-girlfriend, making assurances they failed to fulfill. This left Marquis feeling abandoned.

Later, at 3:57 p.m., Marquis called 911 again, this time outside with a gun. Marquis fired rounds into the air, emptying his gun. The same officers returned and confronted him, urging him to put the weapon down. Marquis, in his distraught state, told them to shoot him. The situation escalated, leading to more officers arriving, guns drawn, surrounding Marquis.

For about 15 minutes, Marquis, without a weapon, received no proper intervention or attempt at de-escalation. Although the officers were aware he had no ammunition, they maintained their stance, not detaining him. Marquis went back into his apartment and retrieved more bullets. After a brief moment when Marquis reloaded his gun and fired into the air again, multiple police officers opened fire, fatally shooting him.

Marquis was left on the ground, handcuffed, in the rain for hours before any action was taken. Not a single person from the Columbia PD reached out to our family to relay the news. I got the devastating news through a phone call from Marquis’ roommate, and I personally had to give the news to the rest of my family. The lack of outreach or support from the Columbia PD compounded the tragedy. All of this information was took from the body cam footage that was released to my family and I, and from neighbors who witnessed the whole interaction.

The loss of Marquis highlights the urgent need for better-equipped, extensively trained responders to handle mental health crises. His cry for help was not met with the care and understanding he desperately sought, leaving a void in the lives of those who loved him.

The prosecutor working his case has decided not to press charges on the officers.

My family and I want to sue the PD for negligence.

Anything will help, Thank you all so much!