TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma police shot and killed a woman at the center of a SWAT incident who was experiencing a mental health crisis and firing a gun outside of a home on the 4000 block of South Bell Street Tuesday morning.
Police were dispatched to the location in response to a 61-year-old woman intimidating her neighbors with a firearm. Officers were told the woman pointed a gun at her neighbors and fired shots at them.
When officers arrived, they reported that the woman came outside her house and brandished the firearm, pointing it in their direction.
Officers then established a perimeter around the house and called SWAT. Initial information indicated that they believed the woman was experiencing a mental health crisis. SWAT attempted to get the woman to peacefully surrender via a loudspeaker and by calling her on the phone.
SWAT reported that "an officer involved shooting" occurred at around 9:30 a.m. The woman was hit and pronounced dead at the scene. There was no information provided about what prompted officers to shoot.
It's unknown whether it was one officer or multiple who fired. All officers were reported to be OK.
The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is taking over the investigation into the shooting. More information about what led up to the incident is expected to be released Tuesday afternoon or evening.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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