Police responded to a call on a "woman walking in the street with a handgun" or an "armed, suicidal woman." A "mental health professional" and officers reportedly tried to get her to unarm herself for approx. 30 minutes. She then allegedly raised the gun and "pointed it at officers in a threatening manner." Officers Matt Roy, Chris Dalton, Richard Robles, Louie Arviso, Jaime Getz, and Senior Officer Andrea Pflugh shot her. It was later determined that she was armed with an Airsoft pellet pistol.
Victim's Name: Maria Rita Zarate
Agency Responsible: Bakersfield Police Department
Gender: Female
Age: 31
Race: Hispanic
Date of Death: October 1, 2013
County: Kern
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Geography: Suburban