Here's what we know about Friday's shooting where a woman was killed by Fayetteville police
Fayetteville Police Department officials announced Saturday morning that an officer shot and killed a woman "in a crisis" during a struggle over a weapon Friday night in the 2300 block of Colgate Drive.
Police officials released three statements related to the shooting and provided video of a news conference that took place about three and a half hours after the shooting.
With the probe into the shooting handed over to the State Bureau of Investigation, officers have yet to release the identity of the woman or officers involved, but here's what we know so far.
Report of a break-in
In a press conference at 1:15 a.m. Saturday, Assistant Police Chief James Nolette said officers initially were called to the scene at 9:41 p.m. in response to a 911 call about an attempted break-in by four armed men.
Nolette said that when officers arrived at the home, they located a mother, daughter, grandmother and grandfather. The officers then investigated the alleged break-in attempt for 30 minutes, finding no evidence of the break-in but discovering several inconsistencies in the caller's story, he said.
While officers were talking to the young woman, whose name was not released, she pulled out a handgun and threatened to hurt herself, according to Nolette.
Crisis turns deadly
When the woman pulled out the gun, officers initiated a discussion, Nolette said, "trying to deescalate it, trying to talk her down ... trying to get her to relinquish the handgun, trying to get her to put it down, trying to work with her to get help."
At one point, according to Nolette, an ambulance was called to the scene after the woman agreed to "some assistance offered through Cape Fear Valley" hospital.
Throughout the incident, Nolette said, the young child and grandmother were in close proximity to the young woman.
"They're in harm's way, the officers are in harm's way ... but we continually tried to deescalate the situation, relentlessly trying to get her to put this weapon down so she could get the help that she needs," he said.
After about an hour, according to Nolette, officers tried to disarm the woman, resulting in a struggle.
"The struggle went to the ground and tragically, officers discharged their firearm," he said.
Nolette did not clarify if one or both officers fired their weapons.
Peaceful, private neighborhood
The area around Colgate Drive, located between Owen and Village drives, is a quiet neighborhood of well-kept homes.
Those who jogged past the eight police units parked outside of the house Saturday morning often stopped and peered at the scene. Passing motorists slowed to catch a glimpse of the last investigators milling about the house around 8:30 a.m.
Crime scene tape cordoned off the house where the shooting occurred. Otherwise, the house projected an image of a typical family home, with a memorial sign for a loved one planted behind rows of flowering bushes in the front yard.
Investigation continues
According to Nolette, the two involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, and the State Bureau of Investigation will conduct a probe into the shooting.
A news release said the Fayetteville Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit will initiate an internal investigation "to ensure all departmental policies and procedures were adhered to during the incident."
Nolette said police body camera footage has undergone a preliminary review "just to get an idea of the true facts that occurred there, not just perception." The footage will be given to the SBI, according to Nolette.
The Fayetteville Police Department did not respond to multiple requests for further comment.
Public safety reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Woman shot, killed by police on Colgate Drive, Fayetteville on Friday
