Woman shot in the head by Fresno police officer while holding knife to innocent bystander: Chief

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Police are investigating a shooting involving an officer at the FAX Transit Center near Manchester Center.

They say a woman in her 40s held a knife to an innocent bystander and refused to put it down.

"The officer fired one round that struck the female in the head area, and she went down. The civilian actually went down to the ground with her because they were in such close proximity when the shooting happened," Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said.

The dramatic scene - playing out at the center of one of the city's busiest transit centers in front of several witnesses.

One sent us a video of police responding. The video shows officers pull the victim away, then handcuff the suspect. They rolled her over and then performed CPR for at least a minute.

"When the suspect went down, she still had the knife in hands. Officers disarmed her," Chief Casto said.

Moments later, another video shows first responders preparing to transport the woman.

Chief Casto says the suspect was in her 40s and reportedly expressed suicidal thoughts.

Police are now investigating whether the incident could have been a "suicide by cop."

"Was a mental health professional dispatched to the scene?" I asked.

"Oh no, things happened far too fast for that. With a weapon on scene like that, it wouldn't have been safe for a mental health professional to insert themselves," Chief Casto said.

Casto says the officer's quick thinking saved the victim's life and let her walk away without any physical injuries.

The officer is a 9-year veteran of the force. He is now on routine paid administrative leave as police investigate.

The new chief, well aware it could have been much worse.

"I'm thankful for the training that our officers received, and the equipment that allowed them to take quick, decisive, life-saving action today for just a resident here in the city trying to get on a FAX bus," Chief Casto said.

The suspect remains in the hospital in what Chief Casto described as "grave" condition.

The FAX bus system says traffic in and out of the Manchester Transit Center will resume later Thursday.

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