Accountability for Mark Capps
Accountability for Mark Capps
The Issue
"Life is not tried/It is merely survived if you're standing outside the fire...."
This is NOT a fundraiser. We don't want donations. We only ask that you to stand up for what's right and speak up and speak out for a friend whose voice was silenced. Much is in the public arena about the sanctity of life. It may be cliché but if one life can be saved as a result of this petition, then is it not worth a minute of your time to add your name ?
Life is not a dress rehearsal. Please join us and share this petition with anyone and everyone who has had enough of reckless and poorly thought out macho police work.
We, the undersigned wholeheartedly support the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and recognize the difficult and valuable services they provide to the city.
On January 5, 2023, 54 year old Mark Capps, was shot and killed inside the door of his Hermitage TN home by SWAT--Metro Special Response Team (SRT) officer Ashley Kendall Coon. There had never before been any police calls to the Summit Run Place residence.
Mark had allegedly behaved erratically earlier that morning having taken prescription drugs and alcohol. Mark was not a drinker but was under considerable stress dealing with the loss of his last family member. His brother Jeff had died two days before with the responsibility of the funeral falling to Mark. An interruption in employment had added to his financial difficulties.
The alleged situation of Mark frightening his wife and stepdaughter with a gun (loaded or unloaded) at 3 a.m. is indefensible. Without question, if the incident happened as sworn to, Mark needed to be arrested and given mental health treatment as soon as possible. He deserved due process. Mark Capps received neither.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQbwJS3xlwE
On February 14, this report detailing the suspensions, use-of-force and escalations of Officer Coon was made public:
On February 17, this website added new information including what was discussed at the Nashville Community Oversight Board on January 25 with Director Jill Fitcheard. Although Tennessee has been in the national spotlight for questionable police practices of late, there is a proposal in the state legislature to eliminate oversight boards and return scrutiny of the police to the police.
Since the killing, the public has only had access to the single police body cam video in the Critical Incident Report (link above) posted on YouTube on January 5. After assessing all of the available information thus far, it seems clear that our friend was treated as an active shooter, rather than a person in the throes of a mental crisis.
We want to know why.
As we wait for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the MNPD Office of Professional Accountability to complete their work, there have been no answers to any of these questions:
Why was the police response to send a covert SWAT team to the home rather than MNPD first try the most basic of negotiations with Mark ? Who made that determination-- and when ?
What information did MNPD consider about Mark and his state of mind before they approached his front door ? The MNPD affidavit says he was taking prescription medication (likely Ambien) and uncharacteristically, consuming alcohol.
Was any attempt made to communicate/negotiate with Mark prior to sending the SWAT officers to approach his door? Text, phone, email, bullhorn ?
Many of his friends feel that they could have talked him out of the house safely. There was certainly plenty of time that day.
If Mark was such a dangerous person, why did so many hours pass between the taking of the alleged victim's statements and the afternoon issuing of arrest warrants ? If Mark was such a dangerous person, why were the Summit Run Place neighbors not immediately protected ?
Why were there no mental health professionals involved on January 5, 2023? Two psychiatrists have concurred that Mark’s erratic, destructive, atypical behavior seems consistent with a person going through a psychotic break.
Was the Summit Run Place home under constant surveillance from when the alleged victims left in the morning to when the SWAT team arrived in the afternoon ? If not, how did MNPD know, with certainty, that it was still only Mark alone in his home, that he did not flee and it was indeed Mark at the door ?
Why was there the reported presumption that Mark might “barricade” himself in his home that afternoon ? The Critical Incident Briefing video shows a relaxed man in his pajamas, possibly just awakened and apparently with a slowed reaction time--hardly a person in attack mode.
Why was basic tear gas never used ? If Mark could not see, he could not aim.
The video shows the explosives to blow in the front door (visible on the hinge side in the body cam) not used ? Prior to Mark's opening his front door, they were in place. Why were they not used as soon as they were affixed ?
Why did none of the three officers ever announce their presence, shouting “Police !” “You are under arrest !” or “Drop the gun” if, indeed, Mark was holding one in the right hand ?
Do SWAT teams typically serve arrest warrants ? If so, was normal procedure followed in this case ?
Director of Police Media Relations Don Aaron said, regarding a home camera system, that Mark “may well have seen” the three officers sneaking up on the home. Is it also possible that a person intoxicated and drugged may well have not seen the SWAT covert team until they were approaching the front door ?
Is there an edit, albeit small, in the released body cam footage in the Critical Incident Briefing ? There is a moving view from Coon's body cam (1:33) Mr. Aaron makes a comment. When footage resumes we see a static fixed view of Officer Coon’s weapon (with safety already removed) trained on the door (1:48) Explosives are put in place, but not employed, Mark opens the door (1:54), commands are shouted and Mark is fatally shot immediately.
Why does MNPD refuse to release the other body cam footage NOW (redacted to show just the front porch killing) rather than waiting six months ? Are they dragging their feet to hide culpable views ? The Freedom of Information Act waiting period is curiously six months. That footage could easily be edited just to show the views of the two other body cams of the porch. The shooter's footage has storm door reflections that obscure detail.
Did Mark not raise his left hand in surrender after SRT officers twice shouted “Show me your hands !” ?
Was Mark Capps aiming a gun at officers when he was shot? Based on the only available body cam view, why did Officer Coon “deem that Capps’ movements posed an immediate imminent threat” ? There were three body cams and Mark's home camera. Only the least revealing view was in the Critical Incident Briefing. What do the other body cams show ?
Did Officer Coon reengage his weapon’s safety immediately after firing because he knew his four rounds were fatal and that the situation was secure ? Is it proper SWAT procedure for an experienced officer to immediately reengage the safety in a dangerous situation before actually observing that the scene is secure ? The body cam clearly shows this.
What did the autopsy reveal about Mark’s drug/alcohol levels and likely reaction time when he opened the door and was shot in a split second ? Our requests for Mark's level of toxicity at death have been denied.
If the Metro police authorities believed Mark to be armed and dangerous, why was the decision made to risk the safety of MNPD officers by having them sneak up to his front door, exposing themselves to possible danger? Who made this highly questionable decision ? Is this normal law enforcement protocol ?
Does the fact that Noah Silva, a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation employee, reportedly the stepdaughter's boyfriend, was present at the onset of the alleged incident at 3 a.m. and for several hours until he left the residence for work, affect the ability of the TBI to conduct an objective investigation? What information, if any, did Noah Silva (sworn to TBI rules) relate to authorities regarding Mark’s mental state after he left the home ?
Given the fact that no domestic disturbance police calls had ever been made to Summit Run Place, why was Mark not given any due process ? In America, you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Although treated as an active shooter, Mark never fired any guns whatsoever that day.
Mark’s judge, jury and executioner was a team of whomever ordered the covert operation and SWAT officer Ashley Kendall Coon.
It seems quite clear who the "active shooter" was on January 5, 2023
PLEASE DISREGARD ANY PROMPTS OR SOLICITATION FOR DONATIONS AFTER YOU SIGN THIS PETITION. THIS IS A NON REMOVABLE PART OF THE PETITION TEMPLATE OF CHANGE.ORG
Sorry about this.
We are only interested in getting justice and more sensible police procedure in place.
Thanks for speaking out for Mark.
https://www.change.org/policies/privacy#3
1,476
The Issue
"Life is not tried/It is merely survived if you're standing outside the fire...."
This is NOT a fundraiser. We don't want donations. We only ask that you to stand up for what's right and speak up and speak out for a friend whose voice was silenced. Much is in the public arena about the sanctity of life. It may be cliché but if one life can be saved as a result of this petition, then is it not worth a minute of your time to add your name ?
Life is not a dress rehearsal. Please join us and share this petition with anyone and everyone who has had enough of reckless and poorly thought out macho police work.
We, the undersigned wholeheartedly support the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and recognize the difficult and valuable services they provide to the city.
On January 5, 2023, 54 year old Mark Capps, was shot and killed inside the door of his Hermitage TN home by SWAT--Metro Special Response Team (SRT) officer Ashley Kendall Coon. There had never before been any police calls to the Summit Run Place residence.
Mark had allegedly behaved erratically earlier that morning having taken prescription drugs and alcohol. Mark was not a drinker but was under considerable stress dealing with the loss of his last family member. His brother Jeff had died two days before with the responsibility of the funeral falling to Mark. An interruption in employment had added to his financial difficulties.
The alleged situation of Mark frightening his wife and stepdaughter with a gun (loaded or unloaded) at 3 a.m. is indefensible. Without question, if the incident happened as sworn to, Mark needed to be arrested and given mental health treatment as soon as possible. He deserved due process. Mark Capps received neither.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQbwJS3xlwE
On February 14, this report detailing the suspensions, use-of-force and escalations of Officer Coon was made public:
On February 17, this website added new information including what was discussed at the Nashville Community Oversight Board on January 25 with Director Jill Fitcheard. Although Tennessee has been in the national spotlight for questionable police practices of late, there is a proposal in the state legislature to eliminate oversight boards and return scrutiny of the police to the police.
Since the killing, the public has only had access to the single police body cam video in the Critical Incident Report (link above) posted on YouTube on January 5. After assessing all of the available information thus far, it seems clear that our friend was treated as an active shooter, rather than a person in the throes of a mental crisis.
We want to know why.
As we wait for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the MNPD Office of Professional Accountability to complete their work, there have been no answers to any of these questions:
Why was the police response to send a covert SWAT team to the home rather than MNPD first try the most basic of negotiations with Mark ? Who made that determination-- and when ?
What information did MNPD consider about Mark and his state of mind before they approached his front door ? The MNPD affidavit says he was taking prescription medication (likely Ambien) and uncharacteristically, consuming alcohol.
Was any attempt made to communicate/negotiate with Mark prior to sending the SWAT officers to approach his door? Text, phone, email, bullhorn ?
Many of his friends feel that they could have talked him out of the house safely. There was certainly plenty of time that day.
If Mark was such a dangerous person, why did so many hours pass between the taking of the alleged victim's statements and the afternoon issuing of arrest warrants ? If Mark was such a dangerous person, why were the Summit Run Place neighbors not immediately protected ?
Why were there no mental health professionals involved on January 5, 2023? Two psychiatrists have concurred that Mark’s erratic, destructive, atypical behavior seems consistent with a person going through a psychotic break.
Was the Summit Run Place home under constant surveillance from when the alleged victims left in the morning to when the SWAT team arrived in the afternoon ? If not, how did MNPD know, with certainty, that it was still only Mark alone in his home, that he did not flee and it was indeed Mark at the door ?
Why was there the reported presumption that Mark might “barricade” himself in his home that afternoon ? The Critical Incident Briefing video shows a relaxed man in his pajamas, possibly just awakened and apparently with a slowed reaction time--hardly a person in attack mode.
Why was basic tear gas never used ? If Mark could not see, he could not aim.
The video shows the explosives to blow in the front door (visible on the hinge side in the body cam) not used ? Prior to Mark's opening his front door, they were in place. Why were they not used as soon as they were affixed ?
Why did none of the three officers ever announce their presence, shouting “Police !” “You are under arrest !” or “Drop the gun” if, indeed, Mark was holding one in the right hand ?
Do SWAT teams typically serve arrest warrants ? If so, was normal procedure followed in this case ?
Director of Police Media Relations Don Aaron said, regarding a home camera system, that Mark “may well have seen” the three officers sneaking up on the home. Is it also possible that a person intoxicated and drugged may well have not seen the SWAT covert team until they were approaching the front door ?
Is there an edit, albeit small, in the released body cam footage in the Critical Incident Briefing ? There is a moving view from Coon's body cam (1:33) Mr. Aaron makes a comment. When footage resumes we see a static fixed view of Officer Coon’s weapon (with safety already removed) trained on the door (1:48) Explosives are put in place, but not employed, Mark opens the door (1:54), commands are shouted and Mark is fatally shot immediately.
Why does MNPD refuse to release the other body cam footage NOW (redacted to show just the front porch killing) rather than waiting six months ? Are they dragging their feet to hide culpable views ? The Freedom of Information Act waiting period is curiously six months. That footage could easily be edited just to show the views of the two other body cams of the porch. The shooter's footage has storm door reflections that obscure detail.
Did Mark not raise his left hand in surrender after SRT officers twice shouted “Show me your hands !” ?
Was Mark Capps aiming a gun at officers when he was shot? Based on the only available body cam view, why did Officer Coon “deem that Capps’ movements posed an immediate imminent threat” ? There were three body cams and Mark's home camera. Only the least revealing view was in the Critical Incident Briefing. What do the other body cams show ?
Did Officer Coon reengage his weapon’s safety immediately after firing because he knew his four rounds were fatal and that the situation was secure ? Is it proper SWAT procedure for an experienced officer to immediately reengage the safety in a dangerous situation before actually observing that the scene is secure ? The body cam clearly shows this.
What did the autopsy reveal about Mark’s drug/alcohol levels and likely reaction time when he opened the door and was shot in a split second ? Our requests for Mark's level of toxicity at death have been denied.
If the Metro police authorities believed Mark to be armed and dangerous, why was the decision made to risk the safety of MNPD officers by having them sneak up to his front door, exposing themselves to possible danger? Who made this highly questionable decision ? Is this normal law enforcement protocol ?
Does the fact that Noah Silva, a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation employee, reportedly the stepdaughter's boyfriend, was present at the onset of the alleged incident at 3 a.m. and for several hours until he left the residence for work, affect the ability of the TBI to conduct an objective investigation? What information, if any, did Noah Silva (sworn to TBI rules) relate to authorities regarding Mark’s mental state after he left the home ?
Given the fact that no domestic disturbance police calls had ever been made to Summit Run Place, why was Mark not given any due process ? In America, you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Although treated as an active shooter, Mark never fired any guns whatsoever that day.
Mark’s judge, jury and executioner was a team of whomever ordered the covert operation and SWAT officer Ashley Kendall Coon.
It seems quite clear who the "active shooter" was on January 5, 2023
PLEASE DISREGARD ANY PROMPTS OR SOLICITATION FOR DONATIONS AFTER YOU SIGN THIS PETITION. THIS IS A NON REMOVABLE PART OF THE PETITION TEMPLATE OF CHANGE.ORG
Sorry about this.
We are only interested in getting justice and more sensible police procedure in place.
Thanks for speaking out for Mark.
https://www.change.org/policies/privacy#3
1,476
Petition Updates
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Petition created on February 14, 2023