A 23-year-old Black Baltimore, Maryland woman was shot dead and her 5-year-old son was wounded by police Monday afternoon in a standoff over arrest warrants.
According to CBS Baltimore and The Baltimore Sun, the woman identified as Korryn Gaines was being served arrest warrants for incidents that occurred earlier this year.
Gaines was charged for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and multiple traffic violations, multiple sources report.
Officers were unable to get into Gaines’ apartment without obtaining a key from the landlord. When they opened the door, officers found Gaines with a gun and her 5-year-old son in her arms.
In a news conference, Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said officers heard a man, Gaines, and a crying child while attempting to make the arrest. Police also say the woman pointed a gun at them and threatened to kill them.
Then an officer shot her. Gaines returned fire and police fired again, killing the 23-year-old, Johnson said.
Family members are in disbelief and say this event does not represent Gaines.
The Baltimore Sun also reports that the Baltimore Police Department is not aware if officers wore body cams during the standoff.
The death of the Baltimore resident has set Twitter ablaze. Trolls are discrediting her, activists are defending her humanity and others are asking why Gaines’ social media profiles are disabled.
