CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Story Update: The woman whom police shot after she allegedly fired at officers has died from her injuries, CMPD confirms. The officer involved is on paid leave.
Original Story:
A female is being treated for life-threatening injuries after an officer-involved shooting in a south Charlotte neighborhood Friday, police confirm. Police have not released her name or age at this time.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said officers arrived at a home on St. Croix Lane around 5:30 p.m. Friday to serve an involuntary commitment order to take her to a mental health facility.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings told journalists outside the scene that police are required to serve involuntary commitment orders and they share the duty with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
Jennings said it's a common part of an officer's duties but Friday's incident is a reminder of how dangerous these situations can get.
Police said a male family member opened the door to the home and when officers called out to the subject, she responded with gunfire toward the three officers. One of the officers was shot in the chest but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to be OK.
Another officer then shot the subject, and CMPD says officers immediately began rendering aid. She was taken to the hospital.
"[This is] a prime example of how important it is that our officers are wearing the protective equipment that they're assigned, in this case, the bulletproof vest that helped save that officer's life this afternoon," Jennings said.
All three of the officers were taken to the hospital for evaluation and released.
A gun was recovered at the home, police said.
"Officers have to be vigilant at all times, we never know what we're stepping into when we're serving these involuntary commitment orders," Jennings added.
Jennings also said they were praying for the person who was shot.
The State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation, and the CMPD Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting a separate but parallel investigation.
The officers involved are on paid leave until the investigation concludes, following CMPD procedure.
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