NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — An allegedly armed woman was shot to death by a Newport News police officer during a standoff early Saturday morning, authorities said.
The Newport News Police Department (NNPD) said officers were notified of a person with a gun and shots fired in the area of Jebs Place and 16th Street at around 2:20 a.m. At the scene, NNPD said officers found an "agitated" woman, who has not been publicly identified, with a firearm.
"Despite several attempts to de-escalate the situation, and due to the subject’s actions, an officer discharged his weapon striking the subject," according to NNPD.
Officers treated the woman until medics arrived and took her to a hospital where she ultimately died.
Before the shooting, the woman allegedly held two people at gunpoint inside a vehicle and ordered them to drive her. Police said the driver crashed into a parked vehicle, prompting the woman to run from the scene.
The occupants held at gunpoint told the Hampton Police Division (HPD) that a woman carjacked them, which NNPD later confirmed.
Authorities also determined the woman's weapon was stolen from Portsmouth.
NNPD said no other civilians or officers were injured.
The officer who fired the deadly shot has been placed on administrative leave with pay while the investigation is underway.