Police Shoot and Kill Knife-Wielding Woman Outside Catherine Everett Elementary School in Modesto, Calif.

Police officers in Modesto, Calif., shot and killed a woman Tuesday after she walked onto the playground of Catherine Everett Elementary School, cutting herself in the head with a large knife that appeared to be a cleaver in plain view of children and school officials. It is quite obvious that this woman was a threat to herself, possibly mentally ill. She reportedly charged at the officers with the knife, forcing them to "resort to the use of deadly force."

The woman, who has not been identified, is described by police as a white woman in her early 40s. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. at Catherine Everett Elementary School at 1530 Mount Vernon Drive, several blocks west of Tully Road and north of Briggsmore Avenue.

Some children were on the playground when the woman came on the campus with what appeared to be a meat cleaver. She was described as acting bizarre and "hitting herself in the head and upper body with the sharp edge of the blade."

There was no indication the woman threatened any children or school employees. Source: Modesto Bee

Though the children were inside their classrooms when the police officers arrived, they must have heard the gunshots and were most likely scared. I don't blame the police for shooting this woman because she posed a serious threat.