The FBI is now investigating the police shooting of a 92-year-old Atlanta woman in an apparent drug raid last week.
Atlanta Police shot to death the elderly Kathyrn Johnston last Wednesday after three narcotics officers busted into her home without warning.
Police say they entered the house dressed in plain clothes with a no-knock warrant on the word of a confidential informant, who said he bought crack cocaine there.
Johnston, whose niece said she lived in fear of being robbed, had a gun and opened fire on the officers, hitting the three, police say.
Just two weeks prior to the incident, it was on the news, according to the niece, Sarah Dozier, that someone kicked in the door of another area residence and yelled that they were police, but it turned out to be a robbery.
“I think that they kicked the door in and she panicked, and she probably shot,” Dozier said. “And when they (police) shot, I’m sure they blasted her down.”
The wounded officers returned fire, hitting Johnston twice in her chest and killing her.
No cocaine was found at her house, but police say they found a small amount of marijuana.
The informant has since come forward to say that he had never been in Johnston’s house and that police had asked him to lie to cover their actions.
So were police at the right house?
Police say, “Yes.” But neighbors and relatives said it was a case of mistaken identity, CBS News Radio reports.
Dozier told Atlanta’s WAGA TV that there were never any drugs at her aunt’s house.
“I’m mad as hell! The neighbors know where the drugs are – ask the neighbors!” Dozier, shouted to reporters. “There was no reason they had to go in there and shoot her down like a dog.”
The community is also demanding answers to how a 92-year-old woman could fire off three rounds, wounding the officers, and why police entered the residence the way they did.
“In the worse-case scenario this is an egregious violation of Ms. Johnson’s civil and human rights,” The Rev. Mark Hutchins, a spokesman for Johnston’s family, told National Public Radio. “In the best case scenario it is poor judgment exercised by these police officers and in either case, someone must be held accountable.”
Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington has placed the three officers involved in the incident on leave and the entire eight-member narcotics division under suspension because of conflicting stories.
Pennington agrees that there remain a lot of unanswered questions and says the incident will be fully investigated. He has asked the FBI, the local district attorney’s office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for help.
“I want to assure the public that the Atlanta Police Department will cooperate and assist in this investigation by making available every document, every witness and piece of evidence to these investigating agencies,” Pennington said. “I promise each and every citizen the complete truth will eventually be known.”
Johnston’s funeral was held Tuesday.
