Records: Hastings officer received 'mental health' training months before shooting

Records released by the Hastings police department show the officer who shot and killed Keagan Johnson-Lloyd, 23, on Oct. 2 had received conflict resolution training.

Officer Geoff Latsch was hired in 2015 and received multiple hours of firearms training as well as a few courses on how to diffuse volatile situations. His public personnel file shows that about two months before his fatal confrontation with Johnson-Lloyd, Latsch received two hours of "mental health" training.

Court records show Johnson-Lloyd had long struggled with mental illness and chemical dependency. His mother said a few hours before the shooting, Johnson-Lloyd had fought with one of his roommates at a sober living facility and scratched him with a knife. However, Tanya Johnson has said she's not sure why her son was fatally shot.

A BCA preliminary report says the shooting was captured by police body cameras and they said a box cutter blade was found at the scene.

Officer Latsch also served seven years in the Minnesota National Guard and achieved the rank of sergeant. In 2010, he was named the Army's Soldier of the Year for the state of Minnesota. He's received several awards and commendations during his time with the Hastings police department. Latsch was awarded life saving medals in 2016 and 2017.