Florida deputy fatally shoots 81-year-old after she lunged at him with knife: Officials

Florida police fatally shot an 81-year-old woman who may have been experiencing a mental health crisis after they say she lunged at him wielding a knife.

According to a press release from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to Rails End Mobile Home Park, located between Orlando and Gainesville, shortly after 11 p.m. Monday.

The release states that the responding officer made contact with Janet Sours, 81, who called 911, and he was trying to determine "if her complaint was real or if she was having a mental episode." Police say she took a knife from behind her back and attempted to stab the deputy, at which point he backed away, pulled his service weapon and fired.

Sours was transported to a local hospital where she died in the following hours, officials said.

Sumter County Sheriff's Office said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident. The FDLE confirmed it is investigating the shooting but had no other information to provide as the investigation is ongoing. The company associated with Rails End Mobile Home Park did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Thursday morning.

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'People were dying over here'

According to the release, Sours called 911 and asked for rescue personnel to come to her home in Rails End because "people were dying over here," and quickly hung up.

She was described as being "in distress."

Rescue personnel waited for deputies to respond first, given the limited information about the call.

The alleged stab attempt occurred while deputies were investigating her complaint, the release states. Rescue personnel attempted to perform live-saving measures on her before she was transported to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

A neighbor told Fox 35 that the shooting rattled the community.

"I feel sad for her 'cause she was shot," a neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous told the outlet. "I feel sad for her. But I'm gonna miss her."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida deputy shoots, kills 81-year-old woman, officials say