Black Woman Yelled “I’m Pregnant” Right Before Being Shot and Killed By a Texas Police Officer

Baytown, TX — A Black woman has been shot and killed by a police officer after she allegedly grabbed the officer’s taser and resisted arrest. However, a video of the incident shows the woman screaming that she’s pregnant while she was already lying down on the ground right before the officer fired five gunshots.

The woman, identified as 44-year old Pamela Turner, was pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner’s office in Harris County determined that Turner was not pregnant.

The police officer, an 11-year veteran of the police force who have not been identified by name, has been placed on administrative leave, according to Baytown Police Lieutenant Steve Dorris. He stated that an investigation whether the shooting was in line with the department’s policy on the use of deadly force is in currently ongoing.

Before the shooting, the officer was patrolling an apartment complex when he tried to arrest Turner whom he knew had outstanding warrants, Dorris said. According to court records, Turner had three outstanding misdemeanor warrants: two for criminal mischief and another was for assault resulting in bodily injury. Dorris also said the officer had previous encounters with Turner though he did not give further details about it.

The video of the incident recorded by a witness was posted on social media. It showed Turner outside an apartment yelling “I’m pregnant” and the police officer who engaged in a struggle after he tried to arrest her. Suddenly, something flashed when Turner reached her arm out to the officer, he stepped back, and shot her five times.

“It’s unfortunate that somebody takes a tragic incident like this and posts it on social media. It’s extremely disrespectful for everybody involved, but that’s the day and age we live in with social media,” Dorris told Click2Houston. He said they are looking for the person who recorded the video.

Meanwhile, Turner’s sister, Antoinette, said her sister was on medication for schizophrenia. She also said her sister previously complained about the officer, who was her neighbor, harassing her.

Dorris, however, justified the officer’s action during the incident because he thought his life was in danger.

“Our officer was tased, and you have to understand what a Taser is. It’s a weapon designed to incapacitate people. The question is: ‘Was the officer in fear for his life?’ I think a logical person would say yes,” he said.