Officer cleared in shooting

Keith Paul

Friday, March 1, 2002 | 9:39 a.m.

The Metro Police use of force board has ruled that an officer did not violate department policy when he shot a knife-wielding, mentally ill woman.

The seven-member board voted unanimously Wednesday night to exonerate Officer Lawrence Gibson in connection with the Dec. 18 shooting of 28-year-old Anna Gavigan at her sister's house in the 3800 block of Birchview Court near Tenaya Way and Twain Avenue. Gibson was with another officer at the time of the shooting.

"When the officers came into the house the woman was stabbing herself in the chest," Deputy Chief Ray Flynn said.

She is accused of turning and moving toward the officers when Gibson fired at her, police said.

Flynn said evidence indicates the woman was about 6 feet from the officers when Gibson fired.

Gavigan, taken to University Medical Center after the shooting, was recently released.

Gibson, an officer for three years, and another officer were called to the house about 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18 when Gavigan, in the front yard, had a knife and was threatening to hurt herself, police said.

Gavigan, who has a history of mental illness, ran into the house after the officers tried to persuade her to drop the knife. Gavigan then apparently hurt herself with the knife, then moved toward the officers, police said.

Gibson and the other officer backed up until they hit a wall in the house. Gibson fired one shot when Gavigan continued to advance toward the officers, police said.

Metro's use of force board, composed of four residents and three officers, reviews officers' actions when someone is killed or seriously hurt by an officer or whenever an officer shoots at someone.