SOUTH BERWICK — A 55-year-old York woman was shot to death by police after she made calls saying she wanted to kill herself and then pointed a gun at officers, police said.
South Berwick Police Lt. Christopher S. Burbank, a 22-year veteran, and York Detective John Lizanecz, an 18-year veteran, fired at Karin S. Moller after she pointed a gun at them after she attempted to flee in an SUV, officials said Friday. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The Portsmouth Herald reported that Moller had called police dispatchers and medical personnel around noon Thursday, telling them she was suicidal.
Police officers surrounded her home while police, medical staff and dispatchers tried to talk her out of hurting herself, York Police Chief Douglas Bracy said.
After about 45 minutes, she became angry and drove away and then pointed a gun at officers after police stopped her vehicle with spike mats, Bracy said. When she refused to drop the gun, the two officers shot her, he said.
Bracy and South Berwick Chief Dana Lajoie said it was the first officer-involved shooting in the town in more than 30 years.
Both officers were placed on leave while the state attorney general’s office conducted an investigation. Bracy wouldn’t say if Moller fired her gun.
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