Florida deputy allegedly fatally shot 81-year-old woman going through mental episode

WILDWOOD, Fla. (TCD) -- Special agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting after a deputy allegedly shot and killed an elderly woman undergoing a mental episode.

According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, Jan. 22, at around 11:09 p.m., deputies received a call from the Rails End Mobile Home Park regarding a woman in distress. The complainant, later identified as 81-year-old Janet Sours, asked for rescue personnel to come to her home, stating, "People were dying over here" before hanging up.

Due to the fact that officials had limited information from the woman’s call, rescue personnel reportedly went to the scene and waited until deputies arrived. Once there, deputies made contact with Sours, investigated her claim, and tried to determine if it was real or if she was experiencing a possible mental episode.

Sours allegedly "pulled a knife from behind her back and lunged at the deputy, attempting to stab him." In response, the deputy reportedly drew his firearm and shot Sours.

Rescue personnel performed lifesaving measures on Sours. She was later transported to the Ocala Regional Medical Center, where she died from her injuries at the hospital at around 12:48 a.m.

MORE:

• Media Release-Officer Involved Shooting-Wildwood - Sumter County Sheriff's Office