CMPD Chief: 20-year-old woman with knife shot, killed by officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer shot and killed a 20-year-old, knife-wielding woman Wednesday night in northeast Charlotte, according to Chief Rodney Monroe.

In a press conference, Monroe said the officer, Anthony Holzhauer, shot the woman after she refused to drop the knife.

RAW: CMPD Chief Monroe talks about officer-involved shooting

Channel 9 learned Holzhauer has been involved in two separate officer-involved shootings in the past. Monroe confirmed this in the press conference.

"Some would say that it's bad luck on the part of the officer, but again, you know, after this third shooting, there is concern for the officer and his well-being," Monroe said.

Monroe said two shots were fired in close successsion. One shot hit the victim's hand and the knife, breaking the knife into pieces. The other shot hit her in shoulder.

Monroe said Holzhauer immediately started first aid on the victim afterward.

It all started when officers responded to a domestic dispute involving two women at about 9 p.m. on Bellefonte Drive, Monroe said.

According to police, Janisha Fonville was holding a knife and confronted the officers after they entered the home.

IMAGES: Police investigate shooting in northeast Charlotte

They told her several times to put down the knife, but she didn't comply, Monroe said.

Instead, she lunged toward Holzhauer, who shot at her twice, striking the woman, the chief said.

Fonville later died at the hospital.

Fonville's friend Jayla Ware heard the gunshots.

“I just couldn’t believe it” Ware said.

“I even ran up to the door and seen her lying there. I was just like, 'Oh my God,'” Ware said.

Holzhauer was not hurt but was taken to the hospital as a precaution, Monroe said.

He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation.

Claire Fallon, who heads the city's community safety committee, which helps oversee police. She said it's important not to judge the officer too quickly.

"It's new. It's just happened, and we'll get to the bottom of it and we'll find out. Meanwhile I think people should stay calm and listen to exactly what's happening as the information comes out," Fallon said.

ARTICLE: Officer shoots, kills robbery suspect after he pulls gun, police say

In 2012, Holzhauer shot and killed Michael Laney on Crestview Drive.

Holzhauer said he thought Laney, who was wanted for robbery, was reaching for a gun.

He was cleared of all charges in the shooting.

In 2013, Holzhauer and another officer were placed on administrative leave after being involved in a shoot-out with three men on North Tryon Street near Keswick Avenue. No one was hit in that incident.

Holzhauer has been with the department since 2010.

Monroe said in this incident both officers had Tasers, which is part of the investigation looking at whether police protocol was followed.

Fonville's cousin, Ben Harris, questioned the use of deadly force on Fonville, who he calls a tiny woman.
 
"They could have done anything when the entered that apartment. They could have pulled out their Tasers, done anything but pulled guns," Harris said. 
 
Attorney Scott MacLatchie, who defends police in cases of deadly force, says Holzhauer can't be judged solely by the number of shootings.
 
"There is a saying in Taser training- you don't bring a Taser to a knife fight," MacLatchie said.
 
He said Tasers don't always work at close range and the size of the attacker doesn't matter.
 
"If you were determined enough and angry enough, you could still follow through and stab me before I could drop the Taser and go for another weapon," MacLatchie said.
 
Anti-violence activist Will Adams said this officer's history concerns him.
 
He wants police to investigate further, and he also wants members of the community to avoid more deadly encounters with police.
 
"Their main concern is that you have a weapon in your hand. You need to drop the weapon, and do what they say," Adams said.    
 
By September, all 1,400 Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers should be equipped with body cameras.
 
Last month, Charlotte city Council approved $7 million over the next five years for those cameras.
 
Police said they will have to be turned on during traffic stops, arrests, use of force or frisking. An officer can't edit or delete the video that's recorded.
 
Channel 9 will continue to investigate this developing story. Check back at wsoctv.com for more details.

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