Suicidal woman with knife faces charges after being shot by Fort Worth officer
By: A Fort Worth police officer shot a suicidal woman wielding a knife Monday. Police say the officer "perceived a deadly threat."
Fort Worth police said officers were dispatched at approximately 11:31 p.m. Monday to an apartment in the 5900 block of Greenspoint Drive.
The caller, 20-year-old Kaitlyn Balogun, told dispatchers she was "bleeding out" and "trying to kill herself," police said.
The first responder made contact with the caller at her door, and during their interaction, the 20-year-old picked up a knife from the floor.
During a press conference on Thursday, May 25, the Fort Worth Police Department released an edited video of the incident.
Chief Neil Noakes revealed that the officer retreated and backed into the balcony railing as Balogun advanced toward the door threshold with the knife in her hand.
Balogun repeatedly begged the officer to shoot her.
Noakes said the officer didn't have room to retreat further and the officer "perceived a deadly threat" during their interaction and shot the woman, striking her in the hip.
"Time and distance are our friend in a situation like that," Noakes said. "Given the fact this was a small landing on the second floor, there really weren't many options."
The officer rushed into the apartment unit to render aid after the shooting. A second officer arrived moments later.
Medics took Balogun to an area hospital in stable condition. Noakes said she was discharged hours later the same day.
Police said no officers or other people were injured during the incident.
The woman was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault against a public servant. Noakes said at this time, there is no indication that she was intoxicated or off medications that she had been prescribed.
Noakes also said the officer involved in the shooting was not a member of the department's crisis team, but did have de-escalation training.
Noakes asked for prayers for both the woman and the officer involved.
"This doesn't just impact one person," he said. "It's impacted many people, and I believe all of them need our support right now."