Woman, 92 dies in shootout with police

I got this in my email a while back.. thought people would like to read it.

Woman, 92, dies in shootout with police Wed Nov 22, 7:25 AM ETATLANTA - A police official said narcotics officers were justified inreturning fire on a 92-year-old woman they shot to death after she shotthem as they tried to serve a warrant at her house.Neighbors and relatives said it was a case of mistaken identity. Butpolice said the woman, identified as Kathryn Johnston, was the onlyresident in the house at the time and had lived there for about 17years. Assistant Chief Alan Dreher said the officers had a legalwarrant and "knocked and announced" before they forced open the door. Hesaid they were justified in shooting once they were fired upon. As theplainclothes Atlanta police officers approached the house about 7 p.m.,a woman inside started shooting, striking each of them, said Officer JoeCobb, a police spokesman. One was hit in the arm, another in a thighand the third in a shoulder. The officers were taken to a hospital fortreatment, and all three were conscious and alert, police said. SarahDozier, identified as a niece of the woman, told WAGA-TV that there werenever any drugs at the house. "My aunt was in good health. I'm sureshe panicked when they kicked that door down," Dozier said. "There wasno reason they had to go in there and shoot her down like a dog." Rev.Markel Hutchins, a civil rights leader, said Johnston's family deservesan apology. "Of the police brutality cases we've had, this is the mostegregious because of the woman's age," Hutchins said. Hutchins said hewould try to meet with Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington and wouldalso meet with lawyers.