Patricia Hepworth Obituary, Death; – A 66-year-old woman has been confirmed as the victim of a police-involved shooting that occurred earlier this week, according to the Allen County coroner’s office. Patricia Hepworth, a resident of Fort Wayne, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds on Wednesday, with the coroner ruling the cause of death as homicide due to police action.
This incident represents the second homicide in Allen County for the current year. Hepworth was fatally shot after allegedly barricading herself inside an apartment at Parkview Studios, located at 3501 Harris Road, around 12:25 p.m. Authorities reported that she was armed with a knife. State law enforcement officers were attempting to execute a parole warrant at the time.
Multiple teams from the Fort Wayne Police Department responded to the scene, and efforts to establish communication with Hepworth were made several times, but these attempts were unsuccessful, as stated in a police news release.
Hepworth was subsequently transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries. One officer sustained minor injuries and received treatment at a hospital, according to the release. The police indicated that further information will be disclosed as it becomes available.
The officers involved in the shooting, whose identities have not been released, have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with standard departmental procedures, as noted in the release. Patricia Hepworth Obituary, Death; Last year, seven individuals in Allen County lost their lives due to officer-involved shootings.
