Body camera footage has been published, revealing the moment a Missouri mother and her 2-month-old daughter were shot dead by a cop.
Maria Pike had charged at officers while wielding a knife, forcing one cop to draw his revolver. The incident occurred inside Pike’s home in Independence, Missouri, on November 7, and bodycam footage was published on Wednesday, November 27.
Prior to the shooting, Pike had a violent fight with Destinii’s paternal grandmother, Talisa Coombs, according to sources. Coombs is thought to have expressed concern about the baby’s welfare.
Coombs claimed Pike hurled items at her and grabbed her hair during the altercation. She also said that Pike attempted to shove her down the stairs when Coombs went to check on Destinii.
According to KCTV, Coombs contacted the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Children’s Division as well as Independence police. Family members expressed hope that authorities would arrest Pike and assist her in seeking postpartum depression treatment.
Body camera footage from the shooting shows Independence cops approaching Coombs and her husband, Brian Coombs, outside a building at the Opal Springs Apartments. Cops were given permission to enter Pike’s home, where she was discovered clutching her daughter inside a closet.
Police spoke with Pike for 11 minutes. In the footage, an officer is heard inquiring if she was wounded. Pike replied by nodding her head.
Independence police officers urged Pike to release her daughter, but she refused. Instead, she sat on the bed, while Mitchell Holder, her daughter’s father, sat at the foot.
Pike was then seen scooping up the knife while still carrying her baby. She raised the knife above her head before lunging at an officer. The bodycam tape stops before any rounds are fired, and it is unclear how many times the officer fired his weapon.
“I seek accountability. Nina Book, Pike’s sister, told Fox 4 Kansas City, “I want the cop to take responsibility.” All three cops who responded to Coombs’ call are on administrative leave while the Police-Involved Incident Team conducts an investigation.