A sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a developmentally disabled woman after she refused to put down a hatchet in the sporting goods department of a Wisconsin Walmart.
He said the woman — later identified by authorities as 25-year-old Melissa Abbott — became disruptive when it was time to leave the store, according to ABC affiliate WQOW.
“The escorts who were responsible for her were making sure that people were not affected and advising people to step back as they tried to escort her out of the store,” Kowalczyk told the AP.
He noted that by the time police arrived, Abbott had been in possession of the hatchet for some time. Police ordered her to drop the tool, but she didn’t follow their instructions, he said.
“She did not cooperate and then apparently lunged at the officer, and he did what he is trained to do and shot her,” Kowalczyk said Friday, according to the AP.
“Lifesaving efforts were performed at the scene by the Chippewa Fire District and a medical professional who happened to be in the store,” NBC affiliate WEAU reported.
Abbott was rushed to a hospital with wounds to her abdomen and thigh and later died, according to WQQW. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday.
Police later confirmed that Abbott was a resident of the Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled, WQQW reported.
Police said the fatal shooting was — in their estimation — the first officer-involved shooting in the history of Lake Hallie, the station reported.
Kowalczyk said the Lake Hallie officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave while the Chippewa County sheriff’s office and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation conduct an investigation, according to the AP.
Authorities plan to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses.
“Through our investigation we’ve gotten statements from a number of eyewitnesses and people who were in the vicinity that actually saw the police officer and the actions prior to the shooting,” Kowalczyk said, according to the AP.
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