Elderly Woman Opens Fire Inside Police Department in Terrifying Morning Attack

A 71-year-old Florida woman was critically wounded after allegedly walking into a police department lobby with a handgun, firing toward civilian employees and then being confronted by officers outside, authorities said.

The woman was identified as Linda Jean Croteau, according to the Port Orange Police Department.

The incident unfolded at around 8:30 a.m. at the Port Orange Police Department, where Croteau allegedly entered the main lobby carrying a handgun.

Port Orange Police Chief Manuel Marino said she initially interacted with civilian employees working in the department’s front records area.

“She engages with some of our civilian staff at our front records section, brandishing the firearm,” Marino said.

According to the chief, Croteau remained in the lobby for several minutes before allegedly firing a shot in the direction of the civilian workers.

“At that point, she remains in the lobby for a bit of time, a few minutes, when ultimately, she does fire a round in the lobby in the direction where some of our civilian staff were working,” Marino said.

Police said no civilian employees were injured.

After the shot was fired, Croteau allegedly began leaving the station as officers were called over the radio to respond.

Marino said three officers encountered her as she exited the building.

“She exits the lobby and is confronted by three officers who are responding to the scene,” Marino said. “She was still holding the firearm when the officers confronted her.”

An officer-involved shooting then took place, leaving Croteau critically wounded.

She was rushed to a hospital, where police said she remained in critical condition.

None of the three officers involved were injured.

“Three officers were involved. Fortunately, none were injured. And none of our civilian staff suffered an injury,” Marino said.

Witnesses nearby described a disturbing scene outside the department.

Caleb Lemons, who was working across the street, told Channel 9 that he saw a woman leave the police station holding a pistol pointed toward the ground.

“She was quiet. She didn’t say anything at all,” Lemons said, adding that she walked out “like a zombie, almost just completely out of it.”

Another witness, Ashton Bussey, said he heard several gunshots coming from the police department.

Bussey also said Croteau came outside, sat down and dropped the gun.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

Authorities have not yet released body-camera footage from the incident.

Police have also not publicly said what may have motivated Croteau to enter the station armed or why she allegedly fired inside the lobby.

The investigation remains ongoing.