A woman is recovering from surgery after police say she pointed at gun at them and they shot her.
Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, Moss Point officers were dispatched to a call at a local convenience store for a report of a woman walking around holding a gun to her head, according to a release from Moss Point police. Initial reports indicate that officers found her standing outside her car near the gas pumps.
When officers tried to speak with her, she removed a gun from her purse and placed it to her head. The woman then and drove away while continuing to hold it to her head.
Officers followed her to Eastwood Drive where she sat in her car holding the gun to her head before going into a home. She came out of the house and began walking down the street, still holding the gun to her head.
Officers and neighbors pleaded with her to put the gun down, the release stated. She continued walking on Eastwood Drive before turning onto Meadowood Drive and stopping in the road. The woman continued to hold the gun to her head as officers and residents continued to beg her to put the gun down.
Police say the woman suddenly moved the gun away from her head and pointed it directly at officers. This action, police said, forced them to fire on her.
The woman was transported to Singing River Hospital where she underwent surgery for her injuries. She is expected to recover. The officers have been placed on modified duty pending the investigation, which is routine in the case of an officer-involved shooting.
This incident is being investigated by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
The Moss Point Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Pascagoula Police Department, Pascagoula Fire Department, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898 or www.mscoastcrimestoppers.com.
