Obituary

Policeman Kills Woman During Probe Of Quarrel

Indialantic, Fla., (AP) -- Two policemen have been suspended with pay during a probe into the shooting death of a 37-year-old woman killed when officers answered a report on a domestic quarrel, authorities say.

Police said that Indialantic policeman Vincent Torpy, 21, killed Persia Lasater in self-defense Monday night while her husband, Dr. James Lasater, and 15-year-old son watched.

Torpy and his partner, officer Robert Scarboro, were suspended with pay the next day, authorities said.

Brevard County State Attorney Abbott Herring said he hoped to have the investigation ready to go before a grand jury Thursday.

Indialantic Police Chief Paul Kreuzkamp said that Mrs. Lasater lunged at Torpy with a kitchen knife and he shot her. Kreuzkamp also said that both officers had non-lethal weapons, including mace and a club, which they did not use.

Kreuzkamp gave the following account of the shooting:

Torpy and Scarboro answered a report on a domestic argument and "found Mrs. Lasater yelling, screaming and acting in a totally irrational manner" on the front lawn of her home.

The officers arrested her for disturbing peace. But she ran into the house, locked the door and shouted out the window. The officers got a key to the house from Joseph, her son, and then followed Mrs. Lasater into the kitchen.

"She picked up a butcher knife, turned around and repeatedly swung the knife at officers Scarboro and Torpy," the chief said. Torpy retreated into the hallway near the front door and Mrs. Lasater followed him with the knife.

"Mrs. Lasater lunged directly at Torpy," the police chief said. "He fired one shot at extremely close range, striking her in the chest."

But Joseph said his mother only had a serrated kitchen knife which she had been using to prepare sandwiches and never used it to chase Torpy.

"She turned and looked at him and he pulled his gun. She threw up her hands and said 'go ahead and shoot.'" Joseph said. "She did not lunge, she said 'go ahead and shoot.'"

"He gave no warning. He didn’t say stop. He didn't say put the knife down. He just shot. It's just plain murder."

Lassiter, a college professor, said the police had all the defensive weapons.

"I find it rather strange two grown men couldn’t subdue a lone woman." he said.