TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Woman Fatally Shot By St. Pete Police, Spokesman Says

News Channel 8 photo by ANTHONY ALLRED

St. Petersburg police cordon off the area around the home at 5237 Second Avenue North where a woman was fatally shot by police officers.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LYNN CARSON

News Channel 8

Published: February 10, 2009

Updated: 02/10/2009 10:51 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - Police officers responding to a 911 hang-up call fatally shot a woman who was swinging a weapon at another, authorities say.

An experienced sergeant and a "fairly new" police officer arrived at 5237 Second Ave. N. about 9 p.m. and heard people fighting in the house, St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt said.

The officers forced their way inside and found a woman pinning another woman to the ground. The assailant appeared to be holding a knife or a fork and lunged at the woman on the floor, Proffitt said.

That's when the two officers fired and fatally shot the assailant. She died at the scene. It is unclear how many shots were fired, Proffitt said.

The second woman has been taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The women are in their 30s or 40s.

Their identities, and the names of the police officers, were not released by investigators Tuesday night.

Proffitt said police received the 911 call shortly before 9 p.m. The dispatcher called the number back and got an open line. The dispatcher heard yelling in the background and someone in distress.

The investigation continues.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.

Tribune reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT