Neighbor describes ‘BOOM BOOM’ then silence following North Abilene fatal shooting
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – An hours-long standoff between Abilene police and a suspect ended in the 44-year-old woman’s fatal shooting Monday night. She allegedly fired at officers after hours of negotiations. The officers returned fire, killing the suspect. An Abilene Police Department (APD) news release and witness statement reveal that the altercation began around 9:00 p.m. that night with a separate shooting.
Prior to the standoff, APD received a call of shots fired at a home in the 1000 block of Grape Street. Court documents say the suspect had been living in a shed in the backyard of the property’s main house when she fired a gun at one of the main house’s residents while they were out with their dog.
KTAB/KRBC spoke with the family of the victim in the main house, who said the woman was staying in that shed for several months, but they did not know her. The resident said they believed there was an agreement between the suspect and the property’s landlord as the resident and her family had complained about the woman to their landlord multiple times, though she said this was the first time things had gotten violent.
Report: Abilene woman killed by police was squatter who fired shots at victim, officers
APD’s release said the suspect has a history of assault and aggravated assault, as well as appearing to be intoxicated upon officer arrival.
Both the main house victim and the landlord described the suspect as a squatter.
On scene, APD made contact with the suspect ordering her to vacate the shed to which she did not comply, and instead barricaded herself inside. A SWAT team was also called to the scene in an attempt to negotiate with the suspect from about 9:00 p.m. to around 3:00 a.m.
A neighbor just across the alley, Rachel, said they could hear the commotion all through the night. She and her family watched cautiously as the scene played out.
“All you could see was cop cars… They had this whole street, north 11th from here to grape, blocked off,” Rachel said.
Rachel and neighbors around the block watched for hours as Abilene officers attempted to resolve the altercation peacefully. Those negotiations broke down abruptly, as Rachel recalled.
“The next thing I know, I heard a ‘BOOM BOOM,’ and then I heard glass breaking, and within like five minutes it was just silent,” described Rachel.
Those ‘booms’ she heard were the two shots fired right before the suspect was killed. The APD news release reads:
“The female suspect then barricaded herself inside her home. Officers arrived and set up a perimeter around the home. Negotiators and SWAT were called out to assist. After several hours of negotiating, the female opened the door and fired a round at officers. Officers returned fire, striking the female. The 44-year-old female suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Joiner. Next of kin notification has not been made.”
-News release from Abilene Police Department
KTAB/KRBC made contact with the family in the main house of that property, but requested to not be interviewed on camera. The family said they are all still in a state of shock at the events that in their own backyard.
No APD injuries were reported, and the officer who fired their weapon was placed on a mandatory administrative leave. The incident is under continuing investigation by Abilene police and Texas Rangers.
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