71-year-old woman shot dead after firing gun in Port Orange Police Department lobby

Linda Jean Croteau, 71, fired a shot inside the Port Orange PD lobby before officers shot her. She died the following day.

Woman opens fire at Florida police headquarters, dies after officers return fire

A 71-year-old woman died after being shot by officers at the Port Orange Police Department in Florida on Thursday morning, clickorlando.com reports. The woman, identified as Linda Jean Croteau, had entered the department's main lobby and fired a gun before officers confronted and shot her.

The incident took place at approximately 8:30 a.m. at the department's headquarters on 4545 Clyde Morris Blvd. Croteau entered the lobby, which houses the records section, and fired one round toward civilian staff members before stepping back out, where responding officers encountered her.

"I don't know if she saw an employee and that's what she was aiming at. That will be part of this investigation, as well," Police Chief Manny Marino said at a Thursday news conference. Croteau was still holding the firearm when officers opened fire, Marino confirmed.

Three officers were involved in the shooting. No officers were injured, and no civilian staff members were hurt.

Police issued an update on Friday confirming that Croteau had died. "Our thoughts are with our officers, employees, Ms. Croteau's family, and everyone else affected by the shooting," the department stated in a release.

Newly released surveillance and body-worn camera footage shows the sequence of events. According to the release, officers had stopped firing after Croteau dropped her weapon, but fired again when she reached for it on the ground.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation. No motive has yet been determined.

The police department lobby is expected to remain closed until Tuesday, 8 September.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)