Photo: Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank
Police in South Pasadena, California, shot and killedVanessa Marquezafter she allegedly “armed herself” with what was later confirmed to be a BB gun but local authorities are defending the actions of the officers involved.
On Saturday, two days after theERstar’s death, city officials released astatementwarning the public to not make rash judgments about the incident.
“We believe our officers acted appropriately under a tragic set of circumstances,” City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe said in the statement.
“In the meantime, we are asking the public to be patient and wait until the facts of the case are confirmed before making judgments about the incident,” she said.
Two separate investigations are currently being conducted into the former star’s death.
Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank
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In a sheriff’s department statement shared on Friday, it was revealed that South Pasadena officers found Marquez “having seizures” and “possibly suffering from mental health issues.”
The star allegedly “became uncooperative” and “appeared to be unable to care for herself” leading authorities to bring in a county mental health expert for assistance. According to Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Mendoza, Marquez armed herself with a BB gun and pointed it at the officers, causing them to open fire. Officers were not harmed in the incident.
The sheriff’s department and a coroner’s spokeswoman confirmed Marquez was taken to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
An autopsy is pending.
source: people.com
