Police in Atlanta shot and killed a woman who they say opened fire at them from the back of a police car this week.
According to the Associated Press, Alexia Christian, 26, was arrested on Thursday after officers saw her seated inside of a stolen vehicle. Christian was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car, but police insist that she somehow freed herself from the handcuffs, then fired three shots at them using the .380-caliber Taurus handgun from inside of the stolen vehicle. The Associated Press notes that it wasn't clear why no weapon was discovered when Christian was taken into custody.
Police Chief Gus Turner said Officers Jeffery Cook and Omar Thyme fired 10 shots at Christian, who died at a hospital:
Christian was able to fire three shots while the officers were sitting in the front seats, Turner said. The officers jumped out of the patrol car fired 10 rounds, Turner said. Neither officer was hit by Christian's shots, he said.
Both of these officers missed being killed by an inch, Deputy Chief Darryl Tolleson said. Christian was critically wounded and later died at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Furthermore, Turner told the Associated Press that the police department is looking into whether Cook and Thyme violated any policies:
Authorities are investigating whether Christian had been patted down before being put in the car, Department spokesman Greg Lyon said. Department policy allows male officers to pat female suspects down by using the backs of their hands in the presence of witnesses. Officers who are the same sex as the suspect are supposed to conduct a thorough search before the suspect is transported from one place to another, Turner said.
The Associated Press adds that Thyme and Cook have been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
[via Associated Press]
