By Police1 Staff
CHICAGO — A woman who was shot by officers after she opened fire during a standoff is thanking police for saving her life.
Police were called to Tamekka Broyles’ home after she called 911 on Aug. 1, 2015, and said she wanted to kill herself, the Chicago Tribune reported.
When officers arrived, Broyles, 32, had a handgun aimed at her chin.
“Officer [Greg] Klebba repeatedly ordered her to put the gun down,” Assistant State’s Attorney Denise Loiterstein said in court. “She pointed the gun at Klebba and then at Rubeck.”
The officers backed out of the apartment and called in SWAT for backup. Broyles opened fire during the standoff, and officers returned fire.
She was struck in the leg, shoulder, and elbow. She had several operations to fix wounds on her left arm.
While being sentenced, Broyles thanked officers for helping her through a rough time.
“I want to thank the police for saving my life,” Broyles said. “I was in a really bad place.”
Police Chief Jim Lamkin said the situation could have ended worse than it did.
“We’d rather not respond with force in this manner, but we don’t have a choice,” Lamkin said. “This was a great example of restraint by police.”
Broyles was sentenced to five years for aggravated assault and aggravated discharge of a firearm.