Medical examiner identifies woman fatally shot by Tacoma SWAT during standoff
A 61-year-old woman who was fatally shot earlier this month during a standoff in Tacoma was officially identified.
Rhoda Butler died from multiple gunshot wounds after Tacoma SWAT shot her on Jan. 9 near the 4000 block of South Bell Street. Her manner of death is listed as a homicide, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Tacoma police officers were dispatched outside Butler’s residence at 7:21 a.m. that day after reports of her pointing a gun and firing shots at her neighbors. Officers were advised that Butler had mental health issues and officers had responded to her home in the past, according to a Pierce County Force Investigation news release.
Officers tried to speak with Butler and contained her home. She eventually came out and pointed a gun at officers before going back inside. The Tacoma SWAT team was called out to assist and have negotiators speak with Butler, the release said.
The SWAT team fired shots at Butler at 9:41 a.m., and officers tried to provide aid. She was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said.
PCFIT was called to investigate the shooting, and an investigation is ongoing.
