District303aPastPlayer
11-22-2006, 02:39 PM
I seriously can't make this up...
92-Year-Old Woman Dies in Shootout With Police
ATLANTA (Nov. 22) - Authorities were searching for a man who sold illegal drugs to undercover agents when they burst into the home of an elderly woman, sparking a gunfight in which three officers were wounded and the woman was killed.
The agents had obtained a search warrant after buying drugs Tuesday afternoon from a man in Kathryn Johnston's home, Assistant Atlanta Police Chief Alan Dreher said Wednesday.
After police identified themselves and knocked down the woman's door she opened fire and injured three of the officers, Dreher said during a news conference with other officials.
She was killed in the ensuing gunfight, he said.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said his office is conducting its own independent investigation into the fatal shooting, but said a preliminary review of the case shows the officers "had a legal" right to search the home.
Neighborhood activists held their own news conference Wednesday on behalf of Johnston's family.
Rev. Markel Hutchins, a civil rights activist and spokesman for the family, said he could understand why the elderly woman would possess a gun because her residence sits in a high-crime area and she lived in fear. He said she was a loving woman who stayed by herself and didn't bother anyone.
"She was afraid," Hutchins said. "This is a horrifying situation in a neighborhood where crime happens often. This incident is a result of a mix-up."
Neighbors and relatives said it was a case of mistaken identity. Police said Johnston was the only resident in the house at the time and had lived in the home for about 17 years. Authorities said she was 92, but some records suggested she was 88.
Dreher said the officers had a legal warrant and "knocked and announced" before they forced open the door. He said they were justified in returning fire when they were fired upon.
The plainclothes Atlanta police officers were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. One was hit in the arm, another in a thigh and the third in a shoulder, and all three were conscious and alert, police said.
As the officers approached the house about 7 p.m., a woman inside started shooting, said Officer Joe Cobb, a police spokesman. The officers returned fire, Cobb said.
Sarah Dozier, a niece of the woman, told WAGA-TV that there were never any drugs at the house.
"My aunt was in good health. I'm sure she panicked when they kicked that door down," Dozier said. "There was no reason they had to go in there and shoot her down like a dog."
The shooting comes at a time when there is already concern over use of force by police in the Atlanta area. Earlier Tuesday, the district attorney in neighboring DeKalb County, where 12 people have been killed by police so far this year, said her office may present evidence to a grand jury that could bring criminal charges.
Rev. Markel Hutchins, a civil rights leader, said Johnston's family deserves an apology.
"Of the police brutality cases we've had, this is the most egregious because of the woman's age," Hutchins said.
Hutchins said he would try to meet with Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington and would also meet with lawyers.
11/22/2006 13:22:09
92-Year-Old Woman Dies in Shootout With Police
ATLANTA (Nov. 22) - Authorities were searching for a man who sold illegal drugs to undercover agents when they burst into the home of an elderly woman, sparking a gunfight in which three officers were wounded and the woman was killed.
The agents had obtained a search warrant after buying drugs Tuesday afternoon from a man in Kathryn Johnston's home, Assistant Atlanta Police Chief Alan Dreher said Wednesday.
After police identified themselves and knocked down the woman's door she opened fire and injured three of the officers, Dreher said during a news conference with other officials.
She was killed in the ensuing gunfight, he said.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said his office is conducting its own independent investigation into the fatal shooting, but said a preliminary review of the case shows the officers "had a legal" right to search the home.
Neighborhood activists held their own news conference Wednesday on behalf of Johnston's family.
Rev. Markel Hutchins, a civil rights activist and spokesman for the family, said he could understand why the elderly woman would possess a gun because her residence sits in a high-crime area and she lived in fear. He said she was a loving woman who stayed by herself and didn't bother anyone.
"She was afraid," Hutchins said. "This is a horrifying situation in a neighborhood where crime happens often. This incident is a result of a mix-up."
Neighbors and relatives said it was a case of mistaken identity. Police said Johnston was the only resident in the house at the time and had lived in the home for about 17 years. Authorities said she was 92, but some records suggested she was 88.
Dreher said the officers had a legal warrant and "knocked and announced" before they forced open the door. He said they were justified in returning fire when they were fired upon.
The plainclothes Atlanta police officers were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. One was hit in the arm, another in a thigh and the third in a shoulder, and all three were conscious and alert, police said.
As the officers approached the house about 7 p.m., a woman inside started shooting, said Officer Joe Cobb, a police spokesman. The officers returned fire, Cobb said.
Sarah Dozier, a niece of the woman, told WAGA-TV that there were never any drugs at the house.
"My aunt was in good health. I'm sure she panicked when they kicked that door down," Dozier said. "There was no reason they had to go in there and shoot her down like a dog."
The shooting comes at a time when there is already concern over use of force by police in the Atlanta area. Earlier Tuesday, the district attorney in neighboring DeKalb County, where 12 people have been killed by police so far this year, said her office may present evidence to a grand jury that could bring criminal charges.
Rev. Markel Hutchins, a civil rights leader, said Johnston's family deserves an apology.
"Of the police brutality cases we've had, this is the most egregious because of the woman's age," Hutchins said.
Hutchins said he would try to meet with Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington and would also meet with lawyers.
11/22/2006 13:22:09