Suicidal woman confronts KDH officers

KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (WAVY) - A suicidal woman was committed to a psychological facility after trying to force an encounter with police that would result in them shooting her.

On January 11, the North Carolina Highway Patrol received information about a suicidal woman driving a Nissan Rogue to the Kill Devil Hills area.

Police said the woman, who has bipolar and dissociative disorder, was armed with a pistol and shotgun.

She was going to force an encounter with the police that would result in them shooting her, commonly referred to as "suicide by cop."

Kill Devil Hills officers and Dare County Sheriff's deputies joined the search for the woman's vehicle.

Police said the woman's car was located at a home on Suffolk Street. While authorities planned their approach, the officers noticed the woman attempting to leave the home.

They blocked her escape with a police car and engaged her in a "high risk vehicle stop."

Inside the vehicle, the woman was armed with a shotgun and talking on a cell phone. She refused multiple verbal commands to put down the weapon. Police said she put down the phone and attempted to exit the vehicle still holding the shotgun.

A Kill Devil Hills officer rushed the woman as she was exiting the vehicle and was able to disarm her. The second weapon (the pistol) was not found.

Police said the woman told officers repeatedly that she wanted them to shoot and kill her and had been trying to force a deadly encounter with law enforcement.

She was eventually transported to Outer Banks Hospital for evaluation and commitment to a psychological facility.