The shooting followed a domestic-violence call involving two women at the Francis Court mobile home park, in the 3200 block of South 83rd Street, at around 9:15 a.m. Monday. The caller told 911 dispatchers that one of the women was armed with a kitchen knife.
After several officers surrounded the home, a woman walked outside but was not armed, said Lt. Chris Lawler. The woman then told police she needed to get something from inside the home and went back inside.
She emerged moments later holding a handgun, and told officers, "Shoot me, shoot me," said Lawler.
The woman raised the gun, ignored commands to drop the weapon and was shot by three Lakewood officers, Lawler said. The 46-year-old woman died at the scene.
"It seems like a 'suicide by cop,' " Lawler told the Tacoma News Tribune.
He said police had responded to domestic disputes at the home two previous times: on March 10, 2009, and last Sept. 3. Lawler said in the most recent call the 45-year-old woman was reported to be suicidal and had taken an overdose of drugs.
The three officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is routine after a police shooting.
ORIGINAL SOURCE
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