Cop Kills 93-Year-Old Woman Brandishing A Handgun [Video]

A Texas cop shot and killed a 93-year-old woman Tuesday night for allegedly brandishing a handgun. Pearlie Golden lived in Hearne and was known to her neighbors as “Ms. Sully.”

In a UPI report, City Attorney Bryan Russ, Jr. said this about the death of the 93-year-old woman:

“I would expect people to be upset about this, a young police officer shooting a 93-year-old lady. I’m upset about it. Most of our citizens are upset but at the same time I don’t believe all the facts have come to the surface yet.”

A nephew of Golden’s called for help and when police arrived she had possession of a firearm. According to KTLA 5, Russ said that Officer Stephen Stem instructed Golden to drop her weapon. She allegedly refused his orders and was shot twice after Stem fired three times. The 93-year-old woman was transported to a local hospital where she died soon after.

Robertson County District Attorney Coty Siegert said that the 93-year-old woman had a gun, but what she was doing with it was “the ultimate question.” Russ revealed that Stem has been put on paid administrative leave from the Hearne Police Department during the investigation. This is standard procedure whenever an officer is involved in a shooting.

Texas Rangers are conducting the investigation into Pearlie Golden’s death and apparently have the gun they say belonged to the woman. Siegert said once the investigation is complete, the case will go to a grand jury.

Neighbors remember the 93-year-old woman as a sweet lady who had lived in Hearne a long time. The community is shocked at Golden’s death. Lawanda Cooke said that Golden was in her 90s — and even if she did have a gun — the shots should have been fired just to scare her. Cooke thought it was possible the 93-year-old woman would have dropped the gun. “I don’t see her shooting anyone,” Cooke told KTLA5.

Hearne is about 150 miles south of Dallas and has a population of about 4,500 residents.

It’s unclear why Golden had a firearm. Details surrounding this incident are sketchy at this moment. There hasn’t been reports out as of yet regarding any mental conditions which might have contributed to her alleged behavior. It’s rare, if ever, we hear about a woman in her 90s getting shot or carrying a firearm in a threatening manner.

From the sounds of what the media has on this case for now, the 93-year-old woman wasn’t known for having a violent side. Hopefully authorities will come up with some type of explanation soon on this.

[Image via NY Daily News]