PORT ORANGE, Fla. — The Port Orange Police Department remained blocked off Thursday afternoon, hours after police said a woman in her 70s walked into the lobby, opened fire and was later shot by officers outside the building.
Port Orange Police Chief Manuel Marino said investigators have not determined a motive and do not yet know whether the department had any previous interactions with the woman.
Her identity has not been released.
The shooting happened around 8:30 a.m. at the police department on South Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Woman opens fire inside police lobby
Marino said the armed woman entered the lobby and fired shots inside the building before eventually walking outside.
“She exits the front lobby and is confronted by our officers at the scene,” Marino said. “At that point there is an officer-involved shooting.”
The chief said three officers were involved.
Video shared with Channel 9 shows officers running toward the woman in the police department parking lot.
Witness describes moments before officers opened fire
Caleb Lemons, who was working across the street, told Channel 9 he watched the encounter unfold.
“I noticed a lady walking out of the police station with a pistol in her hand, but it was pointed at the ground,” Lemons said.
Lemons said he then saw the woman move toward the curb and put her hands on her head before hearing gunfire.
Channel 9 asked Marino whether the woman had dropped the gun before officers began shooting.
“At this point, no,” Marino said. “She was still holding the firearm when she was confronted by the officers.”
The circumstances surrounding the gunfire remain under investigation.
No officers or employees hurt
No officers or police department employees were injured, Marino said.
The woman was taken to a hospital. Police have not released the extent of her injuries or her current condition.
The department’s lobby will remain closed until after Labor Day while the investigation continues.
Officials said there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Channel 9 Volusia County reporter Demie Johnson was the first reporter on scene and is continuing to gather details about the woman, her condition and what led up to the shooting.
Video shared with Channel 9 shows multiple Port Orange police officers responding to the shooting.
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