Patricia Hepworth Obituary, Death – Patricia Hepworth, a 66-year-old woman from Fort Wayne, has been identified as the victim of a police-action shooting earlier this week, according to the Allen County Coroner’s Office. Hepworth died on Wednesday from multiple gunshot wounds, and the coroner ruled her death as a homicide due to police action. Her death is the second homicide in Allen County this year.
The incident occurred at Parkview Studios on Harris Road around 12:25 p.m. when police responded to a report of Hepworth barricading herself inside an apartment. Hepworth was reportedly armed with a knife, and state officers were attempting to serve a parole warrant.
Teams from the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) tried several times to establish contact with Hepworth but were unsuccessful. After the situation escalated, Hepworth was shot by police and later taken to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
An officer involved in the incident was treated at a hospital for minor injuries. The police department has stated that more details will be provided as the investigation continues.
Following standard protocol, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted. The identities of the officers have not been disclosed.
The report also noted that seven people in Allen County died due to officer-involved shootings last year, underscoring the seriousness of such incidents in the area. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hepworth’s death, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.