Police have confirmed that a woman who was shot and killed by a Texas police officer during a struggle over his taser was not pregnant.
Pamela Turner, 45, was fatally shot by the Baytown, Texas officer at a Houston-area apartment complex
The case drew national media attention and public scrutiny after Turner was heard insisting she was pregnant in a video that went viral on social media.
In the video, the officer, whom the Baytown Police Dept. won’t name, is seen tasing Turner when she resists arrest in the parking lot of the apartments in Baytown.
Turner, who fell to the ground, yells “I’m pregnant,” and “Why are you harassing me?.”
Moments later, a flash is seen on the video, and the officer jumped back, drew his pistol and fired 5 times at Turner.
Police Lt. Steve Dorris said Tuesday that the officer shot Turner after she tased him in the groin with his own Taser. Dorris said Turner grabbed the cop’s stun gun and used it on him.
Turner, who is Black, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The lieutenant said the medical examiner’s office in Harris County has confirmed that Turner was not pregnant at the time of her death, according to The Sun-Sentinel.
Her family also confirmed she was not pregnant and she had a history of mental problems.
The officer, who is white, was placed on paid leave per department policy after an officer-involved shooting.
HLN News reports the officer had “some kind of past” history with Turner, in addition to knowing she was mentally ill.
Neighbors who witnessed the shooting are familiar with the officer, who is an 11-year-veteran with the Baytown police force. Witnesses told HLN they were very afraid to speak on camera.
Developing: A Police officer in Baytown, Texas is on paid leave after a deadly shooting involving a woman who said she was pregnant, and it was all captured on video. WARNING: Some may find this video disturbing. pic.twitter.com/cOUamx2Wh7
— HLN (@HLNTV) May 14, 2019