Maryland State Police are investigating the death of a woman who was fatally shot by troopers in apparent planned suicide.
Authorities say 45-year-old Christine Lucas of Rising Sun, who was shot early Sunday after pointing what appeared to be a handgun at officers, left a note explaining her actions.
Investigators say troopers encountered Lucas about 2 a.m. Sunday after responding to a reported intruder. Responding officers said they heard a scream from inside the home, and forced their way inside through an attached garage.
Lucas was found sitting in a chair in the living room, and told officers she did not believe they were the 'real police,' a state police spokesman said.
Troopers Justin Rann and Timothy Graham, both four-year veterans, are on leave while police investigate the incident.
The gun held by Lucas turned out to be an air-soft pistol that authorities say was painted black to make it look more realistic.
Neighbors around the home, whom did not want to be identified said Lucas had been suffering from a stomach ailment, and had grown increasingly depressed recently. Her husband, whom is said to be estranged from his wife, was not home at the time, and it is unclear if he is employed, neighbors and police said.
The police spokesman said power to the home had been cut of for as long as four months and that Lucas had not been taking prescribed medication for a "couple" of weeks.
Investigators also found what appears to be a suicide note from Lucas.
Lucas' 15-year-old son, who was upstairs when the shooting occurred, after Lucas told him to remain there after waking him earlier in the evening, was unharmed.
