A mentally disable woman was shot dead by a police officer inside the Lake Hallie Walmart in Wisconsin on Friday evening after refusing to put down a hatchet.
Authorities say the Black River Falls woman, 25-year-old Melissa Abbott, was in the shopping center with two chaperones. Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk told the Associated Press that she picked up a hatchet from the sporting goods section and began swinging it and destroying various items. Abbott’s escorts tried to get control of her and told shoppers to stand back.
As the escorts attempted to leave the store with the woman, she became irate. Authorities were notified of the situation and a Lake Hallie Police officer arrived on the scene. Sheriff Kowalczyk said the officer told Abbott to put down the hatchet several times, but instead of following his instruction, she lunged at him. The officer then shot Abbot twice — once in the abdomen and once in the thigh.
“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.
“Lifesaving efforts were performed at the scene by the Chippewa Fire District and a medical professional who happened to be in the store,” WEAU reported.
According to WQOQ, the woman was rushed to an Eau Claire hospital, but died shortly before midnight.
Authorities later found out that Abbott had come from the Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled.
Investigators are planning to interview eye witnesses and review surveillance footage of the incident.
“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.
The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated.
