NYC Police Officer Arrested For Fatally Shooting Mentally Ill Black Woman

A New York City police officer has been arrested for fatally shooting a mentally ill black woman.

The arrest of New York City police supervisor, Sgt. Hugh Barry follows months of investigations into the incident that led to Barry fatally shooting mentally ill 66-year-old Deborah Danner.

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In a report from the New York Times, the shooting occurred back on October 18 of last year, when Barry and other officers were responding to a call about an "emotionally disturbed person." Danner was allegedly wielding scissors that Barry persuaded her to put down. The older woman then allegedly picked up a bat and attacked Barry with it, resulting in him shooting Danner twice in her chest.

Although Barry was carrying a stun gun at the time of the incident he did not use it to subdue Danner. Following Danner's death, Barry was stripped of his badge and gun and placed on modified duty.

Both Mayor Bill de Blasio and police commissioner James P. O'Neill said that Barry had not followed police protocol for dealing with people with mental illness.

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On Wednesday afternoon Barry appeared in court where he was indicted for the murder of Danner and was given a set bail at $100,000. The former officer has been charged with second-degree murder, first and second-degree manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide, and could face life in prison if convicted of the most serious charge. He has also been suspended without pay.

Source: New York Times