A widow whose husband was shot and killed by a Santa Fe police officer responding to her 911 call has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Santa Fe.
Gracen Coon, a 33-year-old trans man with a history of mental illness, was shot and killed by police officer David Gallegos following a 911 call made by Coon’s wife.
Lili Gordon, 32, called 911 just before daybreak on Sept. 22, 2024, asking for “someone to come get [her] husband” because he was “having a meltdown” and she was “afraid he [was] going to hurt himself,” according to the complaint filed in county court.
Gordon requested paramedics to the dispatcher on duty at Santa Fe Regional Communications Center. She stated her husband was not violent and had no weapons but she feared he might hurt himself.
The complaint says officers took about half an hour to arrive, but minutes after they confronted Coon on his porch he lay dead in the yard outside their home in a neighborhood off San Mateo Road.
The suit, brought by Gordon and her parents, accuses police of excessive use of force, negligence and sex or gender identity discrimination, according to the lawsuit. Read full coverage of the incident taken from body-cam footage published in January by SFR.
According to the complaint, the Gordons seek a jury trial and unspecified compensation for damages. Gordon's lawyer, Brian Egolf, released a statement via email: “Lili made the decision to file suit so that she can win justice for Gracen. His death was a completely avoidable tragedy that ended a beautiful life. Gracen broughg light into the lives of so many people, and because of this, his loss is felt throughout the community. It is also critical that there be real accountability for the City, whose inadequate training, policies, and oversight lead directly to Gracen’s death. Only by seeking accountability can we work to make sure a tragedy like this one never happens again.”
The shooting is currently under review by the First Judicial District Attorney. The city has yet to respond to SFR's calls for comment. After a policy-prescribed spell off duty, officer Gallegos remains employed with the Santa Fe Police Department and is on full duty status, according to Deputy Chief of Police Ben Valdez. Gallegos is assigned to the Patrol Section, where he serves as a K9 Handler.
This story is part of continuing coverage and will be updated
