Clesslynn Crawford
Date: 3/26/2022 Location: Baxter Springs, KA FACTORS (1,2,4,20)
Name: Clesslynn Crawford
Criminal History/Involved: Unknown. / Yes, Clesslynn’s father, Eli Crawford, murdered her mother and shot at the police.
Mental Illness: Eli Crawford who was the target of the officer’s gunfire did commit suicide which is a sign of mental illness.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown for Eli Crawford. / None reported.
Race/Sex/Age: White/Female/2
Officer(s) involved: Joplin PD SWAT Officer; Baxter Police Officers; Kansas Highway Patrol; Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI); Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
What prompted the initial contact with police? At around 7:15 p.m. on March 26, 2022, Baxter police officers responded to a 911 call by Taylor Shutte about a domestic disturbance with her boyfriend Eli Crawford at a camping trailer home. Upon responding to the trailer the officers knocked on the door which was then opened by the suspect.
Actions taken by subject towards police: Rather than peacefully comply with the officer’s investigation, Eli slammed the door in their face. Shortly afterwards, the couple’s daughter Clesslynn opened the door and she and her mother, Taylor, ran out of it towards the police. Eli ran after them while shooting at Taylor and the police. Taylor was mortally struck, the police ducked behind cover, and Eli grabbed Clesslynn and ran back into his trailer.
Reactions by the police: The officers called for back-up and were assisted by numerous agencies including the Joplin PD SWAT team. For nearly two hours the officers sustained a barrage of around 90 bullets from Eli as he held his daughter hostage when a Joplin SWAT officer fired one round back at him. Tragically that round was later discovered to have struck and killed Clesslynn. Eli continued shooting at the officers for another hour before killing himself.
Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: KBI is investigating the shooting.
What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Clesslyn died as a result of her father’s felonious actions in murdering her mother and trying to kill the police.
Justified Use of Deadly Force? Yes, the SWAT officer was justified in using deadly force and returning fire against Eli Crawford, tragically his shot missed and hit Clesslynn instead. While the result was tragic, it is possible Eli would have murdered his daughter before killing himself so if there was an opportunity to take Eli out the officer was justified to go for it.
