Current:Home > FinanceFlorida deputy fatally shoots 81-year-old after she lunged at him with knife: Officials -RiskWatch
Florida deputy fatally shoots 81-year-old after she lunged at him with knife: Officials
View
Date:2025-04-17 07:17:30
Florida police fatally shot an 81-year-old woman who may have been experiencing a mental health crisis after they say she lunged at him wielding a knife.
According to a press release from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to Rails End Mobile Home Park, located between Orlando and Gainesville, shortly after 11 p.m. Monday.
The release states that the responding officer made contact with Janet Sours, 81, who called 911, and he was trying to determine "if her complaint was real or if she was having a mental episode." Police say she took a knife from behind her back and attempted to stab the deputy, at which point he backed away, pulled his service weapon and fired.
Sours was transported to a local hospital where she died in the following hours, officials said.
Sumter County Sheriff's Office said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident. The FDLE confirmed it is investigating the shooting but had no other information to provide as the investigation is ongoing. The company associated with Rails End Mobile Home Park responded to USA TODAY's request for comment Thursday morning.
More Florida news:Florida police fatally shot man who burned 9-year-old boy he thought was demon possessed
'People were dying over here'
According to the release, Sours called 911 and asked for rescue personnel to come to her home in Rails End because "people were dying over here," and quickly hung up.
She was described as being "in distress."
Rescue personnel waited for deputies to respond first, given the limited information about the call.
The alleged stab attempt occurred while deputies were investigating her complaint, the release states. Rescue personnel attempted to perform live-saving measures on her before she was transported to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
A neighbor told Fox 35 that the shooting rattled the community.
"I feel sad for her 'cause she was shot," a neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous told the outlet. "I feel sad for her. But I'm gonna miss her."
veryGood! (4782)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Celebrate National Underwear Day With an Aerie 10 Panties for $35 Deal Instead of Paying $90
- Investigation timeline of Gilgo Beach murders
- Mega Millions jackpot-winning odds are tiny but players have giant dreams
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Police officer charged with murder for shooting Black man in his bed
- Spoilers! How that 'Mutant Mayhem' post-credits scene and cameo set up next 'TMNT' sequel
- Former Mississippi law enforcement officers plead guilty over racist assault on 2 Black men
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Oklahoma man pleads guilty to threating to kill DeSantis, other Republican politicians
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $1.25 billion ahead of Friday night drawing
- Former first-round NBA draft pick is sentenced to 10 years in prison in $4M health care fraud
- Mother of Uvalde victim on running for mayor: Change 'starts on the ground'
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Americans flee Niger with European evacuees a week after leader detained in what U.S. hasn't called a coup
- Bud Light parent company reports 10.5% drop in US revenue, but says market share is stabilizing
- Suspect in Idaho student stabbings says he was out for a solo drive around the time of the slayings
Recommendation
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
Wild otter attack leads to woman being airlifted to hospital, 2 others injured
North Carolina AD Bubba Cunningham: Florida State's 'barking' not good for the ACC
White supremacist banners appear in Louisiana’s capital city
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Most populous Arizona counties closely watch heat-associated deaths after hottest month
2 injured, 4 unaccounted for after house explosion
AP Week in Pictures: North America
Like
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- NFL Star Josh Allen Reacts to Being Photographed Making Out With Hailee Steinfeld
- Lawyer for ex-NYPD commissioner Bernard Kerik says special counsel may not have reviewed records before indicting Trump