An 81-year-old mentally ill woman was shot and killed after allegedly attacking a Florida sheriff with a knife, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office said.
Just after 11 p.m. Monday, authorities responded to the Rails End mobile home in Wildwood, about 82 miles northwest of Orlando, “in reference to a female who was in distress and had a psychotic seizure,” according to a news release from the sheriff's office. He was called to the park.
Authorities said the woman, identified as Janet Sowers, called 911 and said, “There's a dead person in here,” before hanging up.
Rescue workers secured the area outside her home until police were able to secure the scene, the sheriff's office said.
As prosecutors investigated whether her claims were “genuine or mentally unstable,” Sours pulled a knife from her back and lunged at the officer, who “attempted to stab her.” The statement states that.
Authorities said the deputy “took evasive action while retreating, while simultaneously drawing and firing his service weapon,” striking Sours.
Rescue workers attempted life-saving measures at the scene and the man was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Sauer's family declined to comment Thursday.
The Sumter County Sheriff's Office declined to answer questions about the shooting, citing an ongoing investigation. A spokesperson said the deputy has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling the investigation. The agency did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
