WASHINGTON — Court documents released Tuesday say a woman who was shot by a D.C. police officer last weekend had been using drugs and said she was “ready to die” before she was shot.
Court documents say 22-year-old Renita Nettles’ mother pleaded with her to drop the knife as a D.C. police officer pointed his gun at her. Nettles yelled out, “I’m ready to die,” before moving toward the officer who shot her in the shoulder, the documents say.
Her mother says she was off her medication for a mental illness and taking a mix of synthetic marijuana and PCP, according to the documents.
Documents say Nettles, who was wearing ski goggles and a pink ball cap, had nine knives on her including the in one in her hand, and in the other hand she was swinging a sock with a hammer inside.
Moments after the shooting, the documents say Nettles’ sister, Arnita, jumped the yellow police tape and charged officers, punching two officers in the face and assaulting a third. She is charged with assault.
Nettles’ mother later told investigators she tried to get her Renita institutionalized as she was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder.
As the standoff occurred, firefighters attempted to get inside Nettles’ home which is owned by the D.C. Housing Authority.
Police were initially called to the low-income housing community where Nettles was shot to help firefighters who were battling a blaze at a home there. Nettles was charged with starting that fire, which was still burning when she was shot.
Documents say authorities tripped over extension cords tied together around the doorknobs — meant to prevent first responders from fighting the fire.
Police say Nettles is recovering at the hospital, and is facing arson and assault charges.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Editor’s Note: The video below was provided by a bystander at the scene is courtesy of NBC Washington. It is graphic and contains disturbing content.
Video provided by bystander to NBC 4 Washington:
