Court documents detail May 22 police shooting of woman in Phoenix

Phoenix police have identified and arrested a woman they shot on May 22 after police said she had failed to yield for a traffic stop and pointed a gun at them.

Melissa Ann Larue, 40, was identified as a “suspicious person” in a car parked at Domino's Pizza near 35th and Glendale avenues who had the authorities called on her just before 7:30 p.m., according to court documents.

Larue was reported to be sleeping in a dark gray Nissan Altima with a Washington plate. The vehicle's engine was reportedly on, and there was also a dog inside the car, court documents state.

Officers arrived on the scene at about 8:40 p.m. and found Larue in the car with a lunchbox "containing apparent drug paraphernalia on her lap."

Authorities said they tried to contact Larue but she drove off, and a chase ensued. Larue then momentarily stopped near West Northern Avenue in Phoenix as an officer tried to pull her over.

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However, Larue sped off again, prompting a police helicopter to tail her, according to authorities.

A canine officer in an unmarked police vehicle equipped with a grapple tried to bring Larue's car to a halt, but only slowed her down as she attempted to drive away, court documents state.

Two more responding canine officers were able to contain Larue's vehicle on both the passenger and driver sides, bringing the car to a stop.

Court documents state that police commanded Larue to shut off her engine and show her hands, but she was "noncompliant."

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Soon after, Larue "committed aggravated assault" when she pointed a butane lighter "designed to look like a black handgun" in the direction of two Phoenix police officers from her driver's seat, according to court documents,

Court documents state that the two officers believed it to be a legitimate firearm and began firing "toward" Larue. Another police officer reacted to the two officers' shots and responded by firing his shotgun "toward" Larue.

When the gunfire ended, officers gave Larue more commands to exit her vehicle, this is what the court documents described as Larue resisting arrest.

Officers then broke out the driver side door window and pepper sprayed her "to gain compliance." Larue was pulled from the car when police found she had been shot, putting her in critical condition.

Larue was transported to the hospital where she was released on Friday, May 26 and arrested shortly thereafter.

A records check found that Larue had a history of having outstanding felony warrants for fraud and failure to appear for a sentencing reference for robbery, forgery and dangerous and narcotic drug possession, according to court documents.

Court documents state that a search of Larue's vehicle produced the lighter, 500 blue pills marked M30 (fentanyl), 27.3 grams of heroin, 4.7 grams of methamphetamine and a small bag of marijuana with an assortment of related equipment.

Upon being released from the hospital, Larue was read her Miranda rights, and court documents state that she told investigators she had fallen asleep while waiting for her pizza when she awoke to someone knocking on her window.

She said she did not recognize the person to be a uniformed police officer, adding she was disoriented and drove away.

Larue said she drove from the Domino's until the grapple got her. She tried to light a cigarette with the lighter, describing it as black and shaped like a taser, which she believes was in her hand when officers told her to show her hands, according to court documents.

Court documents state that when Larue was questioned about the drugs, she asked for a lawyer.

Larue was booked into jail and is facing multiple charges including two counts of aggravated assault with a simulated deadly weapon, one count of dangerous drug possession, possession of dangerous drugs for sale, narcotic drug possession, narcotic drug possession for sale, unlawful flight from law enforcement and resisting arrest.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Woman shot after allegedly pointing lighter at police identified