SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The community is mourning the loss of Carter Cochran, a 17-year-old Lewis and Clark High School student who was shot and killed last week in Spokane Valley during what authorities describe as a mental health crisis.
The shooting remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office, which says the incident occurred Wednesday night when Cochran was in crisis and talking about harming himself.
According to the sheriff’s office, Cochran jumped in front of a moving car. The vehicle came to a stop, and Cochran got inside. The driver was armed and eventually got Cochran out of the car, but an argument between the two continued. The driver then shot Cochran multiple times.
The driver has cooperated with investigators, and no arrests have been made.
Carter’s grandmother, Kim Carroll, described him as “joyful, respectful, fun”. She said this type of crisis had never happened before, but Cochran had been struggling with his mental health for the past two years since his mother unexpectedly died.
Carroll said Cochran was loved by many and had support, but noted that everyone walks around with pain others don’t know about. This is exactly what NAMI Spokane works to address.
“We don’t openly talk about how hard grief is, especially grief over losing a parent as a child. And that it doesn’t automatically go away and time doesn’t necessarily heal at all,” said Chauntelle Lieske, executive director of NAMI Spokane. “NAMI really tries to do is reduce stigma around mental health. And so that we can have the conversations openly. That is the number one reason why people don’t ask for support,” Lieske said.
NAMI advises families of teenagers who may be struggling to check in, start conversations and let them know support is available. For those unsure about what support exists or how to have these conversations, NAMI offers assistance.
“How can we create a Spokane community where when we are met with people who live with mental health challenges or substance abuse, that our response is slightly different and more compassionate and caring,” Lieske said.
Lieske noted that schools, where mental health professionals are available, can be a good place for teens to get help.
This week at Lewis and Clark High School, extra counselors will be available for students. Parents are encouraged to check in on their students who may be struggling with the loss of their classmate.
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