NCIS Special Agent Honored for Protecting Partner, Child Victims in Lethal Shootout
At the Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) Annual Awards Banquet, Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Rhiannon Mancinelli was honored for her heroic actions during a September 22, 2022, domestic violence response call. The incident quickly turned violent and Special Agent Mancinelli’s immediate response saved several lives, including the life of her partner.
On a September 22, 2022, Special Agent Mancinelli and her partner visited the home of a U.S. Navy dependent spouse in Humble, Texas to interview her about reports of domestic violence involving her husband. The spouse had two young children at home and therefore could not meet Special Agent Mancinelli at the police station. Special Agent Mancinelli confirmed with the husband’s chain of command that he reported for duty on the day of the interview prior to going to the spouse’s home. Still, the spouse noted during the interview that a suspicious vehicle drove by several times.
Special Agent Mancinelli recognized that the spouse was in immediate danger due to the husband’s escalating violence. She called 911 to investigate the suspicious vehicle and began developing a safety plan for the spouse and her children, which included temporary housing. Special Agent Mancinelli and her partner immediately urged the spouse to gather her belongings while the agents arranged with the command to relocate the spouse and her children.
Special Agent Mancinelli refused to leave the home and kept watch while attempting to convince the spouse to depart immediately. Shortly thereafter, Special Agent Mancinelli received communication from the Navy command that the husband left the office and refused to sign the military protective order issued to him by the command. Within moments, Special Agent Mancinelli saw a man matching the husband’s description run into the home with a gun in hand.
Special Agent Mancinelli immediately exited her vehicle and followed him with her partner, hearing gunshots. Special Agent Mancinelli and her partner announced themselves and entered the home.
Special Agent Mancinelli saw the Navy member standing in the hallway holding his daughter in one arm while pointing a gun at Special Agent Mancinelli. He shot at her, and Special Agent Mancinelli shot back, effectively aiming to avoid hitting the child.
Special Agent Mancinelli and her partner split to find cover and Special Agent Mancinelli continued to fire at the suspect. The suspect was wounded, causing him to drop the child and flee. The child was unharmed.
During the gun battle, Special Agent Mancinelli’s partner was shot several times by the suspect and suffered life threatening injuries. Special Agent Mancinelli effectively transported both her partner and the children into a neighboring home and began rendering life-saving aid. Special Agent Mancinelli applied a tourniquet and presser to her partner’s wounds and kept him alert and aware until paramedics arrived. She did this while also caring for the children and calling emergency services.
Local law enforcement shot and killed the fleeing suspect roughly 25 miles from the home. Special Agent Mancinelli’s heroic actions saved the lives of the children and her partner. Unfortunately, the spouse was killed by her husband.
Special Agent Mancinelli accepted the WIFLE Julie Y. Cross Award to a standing ovation from the audience in Tampa, Florida last week. The award honors a woman in federal law enforcement who displayed an unusual degree of courage, stamina, and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty resulting in an exceptional heroic achievement in law enforcement.
During her acceptance speech, Special Agent Mancinelli emphasized the importance of mental health support and services for law enforcement. She explained that it is not normal to be ok after a traumatic experience and encouraged all law enforcement to seek support to assist in handling distressing experiences.