SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – State law enforcement officials are investigating after a Sumter County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a woman during a service call where they were trying to determine if she was in mental distress, and she then allegedly pulled a knife.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened at the Rails End Mobile Home Park off State Road 44 in the Wildwood area Monday night. The sheriff’s office received a 911 call from a woman who claimed that “people were dying over here,” requested rescue personnel and then hung up the phone. Deputies arrived to secure the area so it was safe before rescue personnel arrived.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
While there they spoke with Jane Sours, 81, who was identified as the person who called 911. Deputies say they were trying to determine if Sours’ call was real or if she was having some sort of mental episode when she pulled a knife from behind her back and tried to stab a deputy.
According to a news release, the deputy backed up, pulled their gun and fired at Sours. Rescue crews tried life-saving measures and she was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center where she died.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: