A Florida police officer fatally shot an 81-year-old woman after she allegedly lunged at him wielding a knife, reports USA Today. The woman may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. Jane Sours, 81, called 911 and asked for rescue personnel because "people were dying over here," and quickly hung up. The responding officer came shortly after 11 p.m. Monday and made contact with Sours to determine "if her complaint was real or if she was having a mental episode." Police said she took a knife and tried to stab the deputy, and he backed away and fired his gun. Officials said Sours was transported to a local hospital where she died. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.
The alleged stab attempt occurred while deputies were investigating Sours' complaint. Rescue personnel attempted to perform live-saving measures on her before she was transported to the hospital. A neighbor told Fox 35 that the shooting rattled the community. "I feel sad for her 'cause she was shot," said a neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous. "I feel sad for her. But I'm gonna miss her."