Longview officers shoot, kill suicidal woman who aimed gun at them, says statement

LONGVIEW — Bullet holes can still be seen in the back windows of the Columbia Heights Road home where officials say Longview officers shot and killed a woman reported to be suicidal after she pointed a gun at them early New Year’s Day.

Katelynn Rose Smith, 29, of Longview, aimed the gun at officers when stepping outside of a residence in the 2900 block of Columbia Heights Road, prompting three Longview police officers to open fire, a Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team press release states.

The involved officers were not injured. They were placed on critical incident leave, which is standard procedure, and were not named in the press release.

Smith was reported to be suicidal and assaulting a man when officers arrived at the scene at about 5 a.m. Monday. Officers were able to remove the man from the home, but the officers’ bullets hit Smith; first aid was provided, but she died from her injuries, the release states.

On Tuesday, multiple bullet holes were still visible on the backside of the Columbia Heights Road residence where the shooting occurred, including through a window.

Harry Blair, who lives down the road in the 2800 block of Parkview Drive near Columbia Heights Elementary, told The Daily News his wife heard what she believed to be fireworks that morning, but now thinks it was likely gunfire.

Pastor Susan Dollinger of Bethany Lutheran Church, located just behind the home, said the residents weren’t members of the church, but an older man who lived there mowed the church’s lawn for years before he recently died.

Dollinger said the church was closed during the incident.

Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team is investigating. The group provides local independent investigation and includes members of local law enforcement agencies.