Current:Home > reviewsFlorida deputy fatally shoots 81-year-old after she lunged at him with knife: Officials -GrowthSphere Strategies
Florida deputy fatally shoots 81-year-old after she lunged at him with knife: Officials
View
Date:2025-04-14 14:26:23
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! (193)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Who will play for Stanley Cup? Picks and predictions for NHL conference finals
- WNBA rookie power rankings: Cameron Brink shines; Caitlin Clark struggles
- Former student found guilty in murder of University of Arizona professor Thomas Meixner
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Dollar Tree sued by Houston woman who was sexually assaulted in a store
- Older Americans often don’t prepare for long-term care, from costs to location to emotional toll
- Native seeds could soon be fueling new growth on burned out acreage across Hawaii
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Federal rules expanded to protect shoppers who buy now, pay later
Ranking
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Coast Guard says Alaska charter boat likely capsized last year after flooding, killing 5
- Uvalde school shooting victims' families announce $2 million settlement with Texas city and new lawsuits
- Alexis Lafreniere own goal lowlight of Rangers' shutout loss to Panthers in Game 1
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- US intelligence agencies’ embrace of generative AI is at once wary and urgent
- Notorious serial killer who murdered over 20 women assaulted in prison, in life-threatening condition
- The Flower Moon: What it means for Buddhists and astrologists
Recommendation
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Putin signs decree allowing seizure of Americans’ assets if US confiscates Russian holdings
Federal Reserve minutes: Policymakers saw a longer path to rate cuts
Harbor Freight digital coupons from USATODAY Coupons page can help you save
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
Bell recovered from iconic World War I shipwreck returned to U.S. over a century after it sank
Family still looking for answers after SC teen, unborn child found dead: Here's what we know about Maylashia Hogg
Jason Momoa and Adria Arjona Seal Their New Romance With a Kiss During Date Night