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By BWSTimes Staff
TEXAS — An unarmed pregnant black woman was killed by a police officer in Baytown, Texas, about 25 miles east of Houston, TX. Believing the woman had outstanding warrants, the police officer attempted to arrest her.
The woman has been identified as Pamela Shantay Turner, age 45.
A witness’ cell phone captured the exchange between the officer and woman.
“You’re actually harassing me” and “I’m actually walking to my house,” the woman told the officer.
A scuffle ensued between the woman and the officer.
“Why are you harassing me?” and “I’m pregnant!” she yelled.
The officer purports that the woman grabbed the taser and used it on him.
Shortly after that, the cop fired 5 times at the unwarmed pregnant woman.
Residents that knew Turner said that she “wasn’t a bad person,” but may have suffered from mental illness. They said that they frequently saw her walking her dog around the neighborhood.
The officer was said to be wearing a body cam during the incident, but the video won’t be immediately released due to the open investigation.
The Baytown Police Department issued the following statement on Facebook:
“Baytown Detectives are on the scene of an Officer involved shooting in the 1600 block of Garth Road. It is very early in the investigation however what detectives have learned thus far is one of our officers, an 11 year veteran with the department, was patrolling an apartment complex in the 1600 block of Garth Road when he came across a 45-year-old female that he knew from previous encounters and knew she had outstanding warrants. The officer contacted the female and attempted to arrest her at which time a struggle ensued, forcing the officer to deploy his department-issued Taser at the female. It appears that as the officer was then attempting to handcuff the female she was able to gain control of his Taser and turned it on the officer, Tasing the officer, which forced the officer to draw his duty weapon and fire multiple rounds at the female, striking her at least once. The female has been pronounced deceased at the scene. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is on scene and assisting in the investigation, as is normal in these types of incidents. Any future updates will be provided via an official press release later today, as the investigation unfolds.”
The officer involved is currently on paid administrative leave.
Twitter is already responding.