Janet Sours: ‘Distressed’ woman, 81, with mental health issues and knife in hand shot dead by Florida deputy

ORLANDO, FLORIDA: A Florida deputy, whose name is not revealed, fatally shot an 81-year-old woman suffering from a mental health episode after she pointed at him with a knife, authorities said, as per NBC News. 

According to a press release from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, officials were called to Rails End Mobile Home Park, located between Orlando and Gainesville, shortly after 11 pm on Monday, January 22. 

Who was the victim? 

As per the press release, the responding officer made contact with 81-year-old Janet Sours who called 911. He was trying to determine "if her complaint was real or if she was having a mental episode."

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.

Police said that she tried to stab the deputy with a knife she got from behind her back, but he retreated, pulled his service gun, and shot her.

After being taken to a nearby hospital, Sours died in the hours that followed, according to authorities.

According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, the incident is being looked into by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The FDLE said that it was looking into the shooting, but since the investigation is still ongoing, it was unable to provide any further details.

Janet Sours was 'distressed' 

According to USA Today, Sours was described as being "in distress." Rescue personnel waited for deputies to respond first, given the limited information about the call.

According to the announcement, the alleged stabbing attempt happened while deputies were looking into her complaint. She was taken to the hospital by rescue workers, where she died due to her wounds despite their best efforts to save her life.

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," they added.