BAYTOWN, Texas – Police are investigating after a woman was fatally shot by a Baytown police officer during a struggle while he was trying to arrest her.
According to authorities, the shooting happened around 10:40 p.m. Monday at The Brixton Apartments on Garth Road near Park Street.
Police said the officer was patrolling the area when he came across the 44-year-old woman who he recognized from "prior dealings" and knew she had warrants out for her arrest.
The officer attempted to arrest the woman -- identified as Pamela Turner by family members -- but she resisted so the officer used a Taser, authorities said.
“During the course of the attempted arrest, the female began struggling with the officer, which forced the officer to deploy his Taser,” said Lt. Steve Dorris, with the Baytown Police Department. “That deployment was not effective, and the female was able to get the officer's Taser away from him. (She) actually tased the officer, which forced the officer to draw his duty weapon and fire multiple rounds at the suspect."
Lisa Carr, who lives several apartments from where the shooting took place, said she witnessed the shooting.
“He shot her, (standing) over her, five times. ‘Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam,’” said Carr.
“She said, ‘Get off of me. I’m pregnant,’ and (then) he turned around and stung her," Carr said. "She took (the Taser) from him and shot him. And that’s when you turn around and he says, ‘Bam, bam, bam,’ and just shot her like that."
WARNING! GRAPHIC VIDEO: Witnesses record deadly officer-involved shooting in Baytown
Editor's note: Because of its graphic nature, the video below has been edited.
Turner was pronounced dead at the scene.
Court records show Turner did have three outstanding warrants. Two were for criminal mischief and another was for assault resulting in bodily injury.
One woman heard the shooting and she said immediately alerted her husband.
“I told my husband I heard gunshots and he said, ‘Run upstairs with the girls,” said resident Yuli Garza.
Witnesses in the area saw the altercation happening and were able to get a video of the incident and posted it on social media.
“It's unfortunate that somebody takes a tragic incident like this and posts it on social media,” said Dorris. “It's extremely disrespectful for everybody involved, but that's the day and age we live in with social media.”
Police said they are searching for the person who recorded the video.
According to Dorris, the woman was a resident at the apartment complex.
Witnesses said the woman was “not a bad person” and she would “just walk around, smoke her cigarettes and walk her dogs.”
“She would walk her dog. that’s all she did was walk her dog and pick up trash,” said resident Jonathan Little. “She didn’t mess with anybody. It was just her and her dog.”
They said they have lived at the complex for five years and have never seen anything like what the shooting they witnessed.
VIDEO: Neighbors react to shooting
Turner's sister, Antoinette, said the woman has two children, both in their 20s, and three grandchildren. Antoinette also said the officer was Turner's neighbor and she had previously complained about the officer harassing her.
Turner was on medication for schizophrenia, Antoinette said.
Witnesses said they heard Turner shout that she was pregnant, but police said autopsy results showed she was not pregnant.
Officials said the officer had a good reason to believe his life was in danger.
“Our officer was tased, and you have to understand what a Taser is. It's a weapon designed to incapacitate people. The question is: 'Was the officer in fear for his life?' I think a logical person would say yes,” Dorris said.
According to authorities, the officer is an 11-year veteran and has been placed on administrative leave.
