Woman shot and killed by police after grabbing officer's taser in Texas

A woman was shot and killed by a police officer in the US, moments after screaming "I'm pregnant".

The incident took place on Monday night (local time) at an apartment complex in Baytown, Texas. Police say the officer recognised the 45-year-old woman, who had warrants for arrest, when he was patrolling the area.

Police said a taser had to be used on the woman when she resisted arrest. The officer then took out his gun and fired it at least five times after she tried to grab the taser.

The woman was hit by bullets at least once, police said. She died at the scene.

The incident was caught on camera by a passer-by.

In the video, which has gone viral online, the woman can be heard telling the officer she was pregnant.

It shows the stuggle between the officer and the woman. She's also heard saying: "You're actually harassing me - I'm actually walking to my house".

People have taken to social media to express their outrage at the incident.

"She screams 'I'm pregnant!' He shoots her anyway," one Twitter user said. "This is cold-blooded murder. Demand justice."

"If an officer can't take a 45 year old pregnant woman into custody without escalating it to killing they are either utterly incompetent or out looking to kill someone," another wrote.

Witness Lisa Carr told local news source KPRC the officer shot her five times.

Another resident, Yuli Garza, said she ran upstairs with her daughters after hearing the gunfire.

Lt Steve Dorris, of Baytown Police, said it was unfortunate the incident was distributed on social media.

"She actually [tased] the officer, which forced the officer to draw his duty weapon and fire multiple rounds at the suspect.

"It's extremely disrespectful for everybody involved, but that's the day and age we live in with social media."

The woman was "not a bad person", according to witnesses who spoke to KPRC.

"She would walk her dog. That's all she did was walk her dog and pick up trash," resident Jonathan Little said.

Witnesses said they had not seen anything like this at the complex before.

The woman's family have been unable to confirm claims she was pregnant, KPRC reports.

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