Killing of Scout Schultz

Killing of Scout Schultz
DateSeptember 16, 2017 (2017-09-16)
Location532 8th Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Participants4 Georgia Tech Police Department officers, including Tyler Beck
DeathsScout Schultz

On September 16, 2017, Scout Schultz, a 21-year-old student of the Georgia Institute of Technology, was shot once and killed by Tyler Beck, an officer of the Georgia Tech Police Department. Schultz had summoned police to the scene by making a false claim that someone was standing outside their dorm with a knife and a gun. They then stood outside the dorm carrying a multitool. When the police arrived, Schultz walked towards the police, asking them to shoot. The multitool contained a screwdriver and a short blade that was not out, but given the earlier call, the police believed that Schultz was holding a gun.

The incident was followed by protests and civil unrest, which led to multiple arrests. Schultz's parents filed a wrongful death suit. The shooting was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In March 2020, it was announced that Tyler Beck would not face charges.

In 2018, Scout's shooting led to the creation of a $1,000,000 fund to improve mental health, from which came the Intercollegiate Mental Health Conference, the first student-run national conference on college mental health policy at Georgia Tech. This led to the creation of a new LGBTQ+ center and other resources.