Attorney advocates for Mental Health Awareness After Fort Knox Shooting

In January 2022, attorney Larry Wilder represented the family of William “Billy” Atkins, a 41-year-old business owner from Salem, Indiana, who was shot and killed during a police standoff at Fort Knox. Atkins, who lived with schizophrenia, was unarmed at the time of the shooting. Wilder publicly identified him on behalf of the family and called attention to how the justice system continues to fail individuals suffering from severe mental illness.

During a news conference, Wilder explained that Atkins had been experiencing a mental health crisis on the night of the incident. According to Wilder, Atkins had contacted his mother shortly before arriving at Fort Knox, speaking in a way that showed he was detached from reality. Military officials reported that after being denied a visitor’s pass, Atkins drove through a gate, and a standoff with officers followed. Wilder said Atkins was eventually shot multiple times, despite being unarmed, as he attempted to back his vehicle away.

Wilder stressed the unanswered questions surrounding the case, noting that Atkins’ family had not been told which agency fired the fatal shots. He emphasized that the central issue was not only the lack of transparency, but also the systemic inability to address mental illness before it escalates into tragedy. “We don’t know who fired the shots to kill this unarmed man suffering from a mental breakdown,” Wilder said.

Representing the family, Wilder also spoke about Atkins’ struggles with schizophrenia in recent years and the legal system’s limited ability to provide meaningful treatment. He pointed out that court officials had previously acknowledged Atkins’ mental health challenges, and that his family had worked to ensure he complied with treatment and court requirements. Despite these efforts, Wilder noted that available resources were inadequate to prevent the kind of crisis that ultimately cost Atkins his life.

By standing with the Atkins family, Wilder used the case to highlight the broader issue of how law enforcement and the courts respond to mental health emergencies. His advocacy underscored the need for reform, so that individuals in crisis are met with support and treatment, rather than deadly force.