Deaf Woman Shot to Death by Police

Officer-Involved Shooting Under Investigation

Los Angeles Police have launched an investigation into the second officer-involved shooting death in Watts in a 24-hour period.

In the latest case, a woman who was sitting on the porch of her home in Watts after firing a weapon at her daughter and grandchildren was fatally shot by police Wednesday night, authorities said.

The woman's daughter, Frankie Jenkins, said she told police her mother was deaf.

"My mom was shot and I asked them not to kill my mother, she's deaf." Jenkins told NBCLA.

Police said they were responding to a report Brenda Williams had fired some rounds at some family members.

Jenkins said her mother had fired at her and added, "everyone on the block mentioned she's deaf. I feel they could have used a better was to take her down."

Jenkins admitted her mother had mental issues, was disabled, deaf and had been having problems for years.  She says she asked the police for help Tuesday night to remove the weapon from her home, " but the they didn't do their job."

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Neighbors confirmed they heard Jenkins tell police her mother could not hear them, but L.A. Police Captain Phillip Tingrides said this is not the central issue in the investigation.

"Whether or not someone is deaf does not play a big part if police are confronted with a life threatening situation," he said.

Officers were called about 7:15 p.m. to the 10000 block of South Anzac Avenue, near Century Boulevard, a police spokesperson said.

The woman died at the scene. The Associated Press reported Friday that she suffered several gunshot wounds to the chest.

The shooting Wednesday evening was the second LAPD fatal officer-involved shooting in Watts.

Jose A. Solario, 46, was shot to death around 8:25 a.m. after failing to drop a weapon, authorities said.
 

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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