UPDATE: This post was updated at 6:15 p.m. with a comment from Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack.
CARLISLE — The family of Nathaniel Liberator, the man shot and killed by a Carlisle borough police officer over the weekend, has come forward to shed light on his mental health issues. While awaiting the results of the ongoing investigation, the family has expressed their belief that Liberator’s serious mental health issues played a significant role in the tragic incident.
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Pennsylvania State Police, who have taken over the investigation, have provided limited information about the shooting. The altercation between officers and Liberator took place on the 300 block of C Street in Carlisle. The 33-year-old borough resident was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.
State police have referred all questions to the Cumberland County District Attorney’s office, where District Attorney Sean McCormack has stated that he will not make any statements until the investigation is complete. McCormack emphasized the importance of accuracy and asked for the community’s patience during this process.
Friends of the Liberator family have confirmed that Nathaniel had been experiencing a mental health crisis in recent months. They revealed that his siblings had attempted to have him hospitalized on an involuntary commitment on January 8. However, their efforts were unsuccessful.
According to Dawn Kephart, a close friend of the family, Nathan Liberator had been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation but had not followed through. Kephart expressed her belief that the difficulty in obtaining involuntary commitments for adults who do not willingly seek help is a tragic underlying issue.
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Ironically, the Carlisle Borough is in the process of hiring its first full-time co-responder, whose role will be to connect individuals with housing, substance abuse, mental health, or other necessary services. This position, funded by the borough’s 2024 budget, aims to prevent crises like Liberator’s by intervening before they escalate.
Unfortunately, Nathan Liberator did not receive the intervention he desperately needed. Kephart described him as someone who was on the path to getting his life together, having recently obtained a bachelor’s degree. The unexpected burial expenses have placed a financial burden on the Liberator family, who have experienced significant losses in the past.
In light of this, Kephart has organized an online fundraiser to help cover the costs of Nathan’s memorial service and burial. The goal is to raise $13,000 to give him the farewell he deserves.
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