July 8, 2012 (El Cajon)—A crisis negotiation with a woman brandishing a shotgun ended with an officer firing three rounds, striking the suspect. The woman, Jamie Fitzgerald, is hospitalized for treatment of her injuries.
The stand-off began at 10:49 a.m when El Cajon Police officers responded to a call from the suspect stating that she wanted to relinquish custody of a loaded shotgun. After officers arrived at 257 Jamacha, Fitzerald “appeared on her second story balcony, holding a shotgun in a threatening manner and manipulating the action of it,” according to Lieutenant Mike Moulton. “This occurred while the officers were at the ground level below, in her line of fire,” he added.
Several officers, one trained as a crisis negotiator, attempted to negotiate with Fitzerald for over half an hour but she refused to comply with the instructions, Moulton said.
Fitzgerald went back into the apartment briefly, then returned to the balcony still armed with the shotgun and leveled it at the officers.
“One officer, a 23-year veteran, fearing for his safety and the safety of the officers around him. fired three rounds, striking the suspect,” Lt. Moulton stated in a press release.
The shooting occurred around noon. After the suspect collapsed on the balcony, officers were able to force entry into Fitzgerald’s apartment to administer first aid. El Cajon Fire personnel quickly arrived on scene and transported the suspect to the hospital where she is being treated for her injuries.
The suspect may be charged with brandishing a firearm in a threatening manner in the presence of a police officer.
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