Black woman shot dead during altercation with police in Texas

Officer fired on woman after she grabbed his taser in scuffle, police say

A woman of colour has been shot dead by a police officer during an altercation outside her apartment complex.

The woman, who has been identified by family members as 44-year-old Pamela Turner, was recognised by a patrolling officer as having prior warrants, police in the city of Baytown, Texas, said.

Her sister Antoinette said Turner was on medication for schizophrenia, she told KPRC Click2Houston.

When the officer attempted to arrest Turner however, she resisted, police have said.

“During the course of the attempted arrest, the female began struggling with the officer, which forced the officer to deploy his Taser,” said Lt. Steve Dorris, a public information officer with the Baytown Police Department.

“That deployment was not effective, and the female was able to get the officer's Taser away from him. She actually tased the officer, which forced the officer to draw his duty weapon and fire multiple rounds at the suspect."

The incident was recorded and shared on social media, and viewers have questioned whether the incident could have been resolved differently.

Turner's prior warrants were for criminal mischief and assault.

She was pronounced dead on the scene on Monday evening.

Police have not released the name of the officer involved, but have identified him as a Hispanic male who has worked at the department for 11 years. They confirmed to KPRC that he has been placed on administrative leave as the Harris County District Attorney's office investigates the incident.

Neighbours told KPRC that Turner was “not a bad person” and she would “just walk around, smoke her cigarettes and walk her dogs.”

Turner had two adult children and three grandchildren, Turner's sister, Antoinette, said.