Shooting Of Homeless Woman
Los Angeles - The FBI is investigating the police killing of a homeless, mentally ill woman who allegedly lunged at officers with a screwdriver.
The investigation began Monday at the request of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gennaco, who said he wants to determine if the shooting involved civil rights violations or the use of excessive force.
The shooting also is under police review and the city's civilian Police Commission will "take a hard look at this one,'' Commissioner T. Warren Jackson said.
Margaret Laverne Mitchell, 54, was pushing a shopping cart Friday when two officers on bicycle patrol approached to ask if the cart was stolen. One officer fired a shot after she threatened him with a 13-inch screwdriver, police said.
She died of a bullet wound to the chest, coroner's office spokesman Scott Carrier said.
Community activists have questioned why the officer failed to use pepper spray or other nonlethal means to disarm the 5-foot-1, 102-pound woman.
Ms. Mitchell, whose last known address was Long Beach, had lived on the streets in the Hancock Park area for several years. Her son, Richard Mitchell of Long Beach, said Monday that his mother was college-educated and was a bank employee until she became mentally ill about five years ago.
She heard voices but refused to seek treatment, he said. He said he had asked Los Angeles and Pasadena police to have his mother committed but was told they could only intercede if she hurt someone or herself.
"I was trying to get help for her, but it was near impossible,'' he said. "They basically tell you a person has to ask for help. But if a person's sick and doesn't think they need it, how can you get them help?''
MAY 25, 1999
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