Cop Kills 93-Year-Old Woman, Community Questions Policeman's Actions
A Texas policeman is under investigation after shooting and killing a 93-year-old woman in Hearne. Police say the woman was armed and threatened the officer, who then shot the woman, wounding her. She succumbed to her injuries just hours later, but witnesses say that they heard the policeman fire at least five shots.
Officer Stephen Stem responded to the 911 call made by Pearlie Golden's nephew, who claimed that she grabbed a gun and threatened him after he took her car keys. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Pearlie standing outside, waving a gun. Stem asked her to "put down the weapon and then ultimately fired his own sidearm, wounding Miss Golden," who later died at a local hospital, the District Attorney's Office reported.
According to KBTX.com, "multiple witnesses" said they heard at least five shots fired by Stem and are questioning why police would fire at a 93-year-old woman. A group of friends and family held a candlelight vigil in front of Pearlie's home last night.
"Even if she did have a gun, she is in her 90s," Lawanda Cook told KBTX. "They could have shot in the air to scare her. Maybe she would have dropped it. I don't see her shooting anyone."
Officer Stem has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation into the shooting. This is the second time that Stem has been involved in a fatal shooting, and he has never charged with any wrongdoing. He will go before the Hearne City Council on Saturday to be disciplined for his actions, and he could lose his job over the shooting.
"While it is too early in the investigation to comment on any of the facts or evidence, I can say that this was a very tragic occurrence," District Attorney Coty Siegert said. "My prayers go out to the family members of Miss Golden and to the Hearne Community as a whole."
The Texas Rangers, Hearne Police, and District Attorney's Office are investigating the shooting and will eventually present the case to a grand jury.
