A woman identified as Korryn Gaines, 23, was shot dead by Baltimore police Monday afternoon after a standoff in front of her house, according to local police and media, with local reports saying her 5-year-old son was also shot.
In a press conference Police Chief Jim Johnson said officers went to Gaines house in order to serve two arrests warrants in her name and in the name of a man who is living with her.
After she failed to answer the door for the officers, they got a key from the landlord and opened the door to the apartment and that's when they found Gaines with a gun and her 5-year old son in her arms.
A special team was called in and began an hours-long negotiation with Gaines. "During that dialogue and conversation, she repeatedly pointed a long gun at the police officers," he said.
At around 3 p.m. local time, six hours after police arrived, the officers shot at her at least once, the police chief said, adding that she shot back. It was then, the chief said, that police officers shot her multiple times and killed her.
It is not clear where her son was at the time of the shooting. The police did confirm that the child sustained a gunshot wound. However, police have not said whether or not the responding officers were wearing body cameras.
A man, who has not been identified, also reportedly ran out of the house upon the police arrival with a 1-year-old child with him. He was arrested shortly after.
Her family was shocked by the news and said that they knew her as a calm person who was loved by everyone. "My niece is a good person; I never knew her to be a rowdy person," Gaines' uncle, Jerome Barnett, told the Baltimore Sun.
Another uncle, Jermaine Barnett, described Gaines as "a beautiful person, really smart, intellectual."
"I'm in a surreal state of mind right now," Jermaine Barnett said. "She was loved by everybodyI'm going to miss her and I love her."
The police said Gaines was wanted for failing to appear for cases related to a March incident in which she was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and numerous traffic violations, Johnson said.
According to witnesses, there were at least six police cars outside Gaines house and officers in military-style gear. Twitter users were using the hashtag #KorrynGaines to express support for the women and her child.
"My son-in-law is in the house now with the baby, my daughter is at work," Reginald Owens, 63, who watched the situation from a building closeby, told the Baltimore Sun. "He said there's about six or seven police in his apartment, right next door to her."
