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Caution Tape

Source: Richard Williams Photography / Getty

Baltimore police have shot and killed a 23-year-old African American woman and wounded her son, after a standoff with police at her apartment complex, CNN reports.

Monday morning, authorities came to the apartment with two arrest warrants for a man and a woman. The woman was wanted for failure to show up in court, resisting arrest and traffic charges. The man was wanted for assault.

According to Police Chief Jim Johnson, the police heard voices inside the apartment, but were not allowed inside. The detectives then acquired a key, and opened the door.

The female suspect, identified as 23-year-old Korryn Shandawn Gaines allegedly aimed a shotgun at police. Instead of firing on site, the cops reportedly retreated and called for backup.

“My personnel showed great firearms restraint during this dialogue,” Johnson said of his department.

After several hours of standoff, Gaines reportedly threatened officers with the weapon, and the police fired one shot.

Gunfire was exchanged after that between the suspect and police.

Gaines was killed in the crossfire and her son was injured and taken to a local hospital. The male suspect fled the apartment and was later apprehended.

This tragic incident comes on the heels of numerous fatal interactions between Black Americans and police in recent months. Tensions are particularly high in Baltimore, after it was revealed last week that none of the officers charged in the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray would be convicted.

In an address to the community, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby explained that “Never again should there be a question as to why someone is being stopped, detained or arrested due to the fact there will now soon be cameras.”

In the case of Gaines, it is unclear whether the officers were wearing cameras. But this detail will be crucial as the investigation unfolds, especially when distrust between the Black community and police is at its height.

Family members, reeling from the tragedy, spoke out on Gaines’s behalf. Gaines’ uncle, Jerome Barnett told the Baltimore Sun, that his niece “is a good person; I never knew her to be a rowdy person.”

Skepticism was also shared on social media:

Transparency between the police and the community will be necessary to keep tensions from reaching a boiling point in the days to come.

This is a developing story. 

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Black Woman Killed And 5-Year-Old Son Injured After Standoff With Baltimore Police  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com