The Seattle Police Department on Monday released an audio recording taken Sunday that documented the deadly shooting of a pregnant woman at her home.
June 19 (UPI) — The Seattle Police Department on Monday released an audio recording taken Sunday that documented the deadly shooting of a pregnant woman at her home.
Charleena Lyles called police Sunday to report a burglary at her Magnuson Park apartment. Within a few minutes of the officers’ arrival, she was shot dead by the responding police.
The officers said Lyles had been holding a knife and threatened them during the visit.
Lyles, 30, a pregnant mother of four, had alarmed Seattle police about two weeks earlier when officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at the home. During that visit, the officers said, the woman brandished a pair of scissors.
Monday, authorities released the audio recording, which came from a patrol car’s dashboard-mounted camera. On the tape, two responding officers are heard discussing the call — and mentioning the previous call with the scissors.
A few moments later, officers are heard shouting for Lyles to « Get back! Get back! » before gunfire is heard.
Lyles’ shooting has drawn severe outcry from critics who lambasted the officers for not using a non-lethal method to control the woman.
« Why couldn’t they have Tased her? » Lyles’ sister Monika Williams asked. « They could have taken her down. I could have taken her down. »
Family members said Lyles had been suffering with a mental illness for the past year, and feared during the two recent police responses that officers would take her children away.
« People should not fear getting shot when they call law enforcement for help, » Seattle City Council member Rob Johnson said.
Seattle police have acknowledged that the responding officers could have used a different method to subdue Lyles if they feared for their safety.
« Both officers were equipped with less lethal force options, per department policy, » police said in a statement.
The shooting remains under investigation. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.
