Officer’s Heartbreaking Plea to Armed Woman Before Tragic Shooting Caught on Video

Gunshots disrupted a Chandler neighborhood scene, ending in a fatal police shooting.

CHANDLER, Ariz. — A domestic violence call resulted in the police shooting and killing a woman in Chandler on Tuesday. The Chandler Police Department reported that neighbors at an apartment complex near Germann and Dobson roads raised the alarm after hearing loud bangs inside a unit around 1:30 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers also heard the disruptive noises. According to Detective Eva Zermeno, 49-year-old Lorie Martha O’Neal exited her apartment armed with a gun and ignored repeated police commands to drop the weapon. The situation escalated quickly, leading officers to open fire.

Resident Susie Delancey, who witnessed the incident from her apartment, recounted: “He was just shouting to her, trying to give her orders, commands. He waited a long time in my opinion before he did anything.” Delancey captured the incident on video, including the moments of persistent commands followed by gunshots.

“I just felt so sad,” Delancey said. “I just couldn’t believe it, I was so shocked.”

No officers were harmed in the shooting, and authorities stated there is no ongoing threat to the community. Upon further investigation of O’Neal’s apartment, officers confirmed no other individuals were present. The loud noises appeared to be from O’Neal breaking items within her residence.

The East Valley Critical Incident Response Team will undertake a thorough investigation of the shooting.