Full Notification

ARMED WOMAN ENTERS SCHOOL CAMPUS

Modesto, CA – Modesto Police fatally wounded a woman who entered an elementary school campus armed with a large knife. No children, staff, or law enforcement officers were injured.

At about 2:08 pm Modesto Police were called to Catherine Everett Elementary School in Northwest Modesto to investigate a woman who had walked onto the campus armed with a large knife. Six patrol officers were dispatched to the school campus. School officials quickly placed the school on an emergency lockdown.

The first two arriving officers confronted the woman on the south side of the classroom buildings. Police believe the woman, who was still armed with the knife, charged the officers. The officers were forced to resort to deadly force. There are also reports that the woman was striking herself with the knife prior to being contacted by police. The woman, only identified as a white female in her 40’s, was transported to Doctor’s Hospital via ambulance where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Modesto Police are working closely with Modesto City Schools personnel to ensure that the school campus is ready for students tomorrow. The preliminary investigation credits the quick response of school personnel from preventing further injuries. Standardized emergency procedures ensured that the students and staff remained safely locked in their classrooms until officials systematically escorted them from the campus.

Modesto Police detectives, along with personnel from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, are investigating the incident. The involved officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated. Both are standard procedures in officer involved shooting incidents. The case remains an active and on-going investigation.

For information about this news release, contact police spokesperson Sergeant Brian Findlen at (209) 652-1386.