Updated: Wednesday, May 15: Pamela Turner, the 44-year-old woman who was shot and killed by a Baytown, Texas officer during a confrontation, was not pregnant, officials have confirmed.
In cellphone footage of the horrific incident, Turner is heard screaming at the officer “I’m pregnant” before she was killed.
Baytown Police Lt. Steve Dorris said that it was confirmed that Turner was not pregnant, although he declined to say how officers came about that information, the Associated Press reports. Autopsy results have not yet been released.
Officers said that the cop involved in the shooting used deadly force after Turner grabbed his own Taser and used it on him.
Police have still declined to name the officer, only describing him as being Latino, and an 11-year veteran with the department.
Dorris said that the officer did not sustain any serious injuries in the confrontation.
“It’s a tragic event for everybody involved,” he said. “Of course, our hearts go out to the family of the deceased as well as our officer.”
Earlier:
An investigation has been launched after a Baytown, Texas, police officer shot and killed a Black woman following a confrontation.
Click2Houston reports that the shooting occurred late Monday night at the Brixton Apartments.
The unidentified officer was patrolling the area when he saw the woman—identified by family as Pamela Turner—who he apparently recognized from “prior dealings.” Knowing that Turner had warrants out for her arrest, the officer attempted to take her into custody. Court records did show that Turner had three outstanding warrants, two for criminal mischief and one for assault resulting in bodily injury.
Authorities say that Turner resisted arrest, prompting the officer to use his Taser.
“During the course of the attempted arrest, the female began struggling with the officer, which forced the officer to deploy his Taser,” Baytown Police Lt. Steve Dorris said. “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.”
Cellphone footage captured the struggle between Turner and the officer. The video shows Turner on the ground with the officer standing over her and yanking her arm when a tussle starts. Turner is heard yelling “I’m pregnant” as she struggles on the ground as the officers continue to wrestle her standing above her.
Shortly after, the fatal shots rang out.
Turner was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are searching for the person who recorded the video, with Dorris denouncing the action.
“It’s unfortunate that somebody takes a tragic incident like this and posts it on social media,” he said. “It’s extremely disrespectful for everybody involved, but that’s the day and age we live in with social media.”
Turner’s sister, Antoinette, told the news station that the 44-year-old grandmother had complained about the officer—who was Turner’s neighbor—harassing her.
Antoinette also added that her sister was on medication to treat schizophrenia.
Family members were not able to confirm if Turner was pregnant at the time, and police will not be able to confirm until an autopsy is completed.
The officer involved in the shooting, an 11-year veteran with the force, has been placed on administrative leave.
