Seattle police shoot dead pregnant African American woman

Charleena Lyles, 30-year-old mother of four, was shot dead by police in Seattle on June 18, 2017.

Police in the US state of Washington have killed a pregnant African American woman while responding to her call about a crime.

Charleena Lyles, 30, called police on Sunday to report a burglary at her apartment but the officers who arrived at the scene killed her because of her allegedly violent behavior.

According to a statement by Seattle police, the mother-of-four was "armed with a knife" and "confronted" two officers who were investigating her phone call.

It was not clear whether the woman’s three other children—aged one, four and 11— who were home at the time had witnessed their mom’s death.

“They didn’t only take one life – they took two lives,” Wanda Cockerhern, Lyles cousin, told the Guardian on Monday. “And they destroyed the four lives of her children.”

Noting that the four-year-old girl had Down’s syndrome and could not understand the situation, Cockerhern said he wanted justice for Lyles and her children.

Police released a four-minute audio recording of the black woman’s encounter with the cops. The officers could be heard in the audio shouting “We need help” and “Get back! Get back!” before unloading their guns on Lyles multiple times.

Seattle police admitted that they could opt for “less lethal force options” at the time.

However, the officers approached her with caution as her home had a "hazard information" warning for any officers responding to calls there, said Detective Mark Jamieson.

Local newspaper Seattle Times noted that Lyles was arrested on June 5 on charges of harassment, obstruction of a public official, and harassment of a law enforcement officer.

Her sister, Monika Williams, said she was released later on due to her “mental health issues.” Police had even advised her to seek mental health counseling.

The audio recording also showed that the officers knew the address and had even briefly discussed Lyles’ mental issues before reaching her home.

The two officers involved in Lyles death were placed on administrative leave. Williams said they could easily subdue her sister using non-fatal weapons like Tasers.

Nearly 100 people attended a candlelight vigil for Lyles at her home.

Lyles’ death further stirred up national debates about police’ excessive use of force against African Americans.

The incident came days after a police officer in Minnesota was cleared of all charges in the 2016 shooting death of Philando Castile, an African American man who was killed in his car in front of his r four-year-old daughter.