Authorities Friday publicly identified a woman fatally shot by Fullerton police after allegedly stabbing her therapist.
An autopsy was pending for Katherine Brazeau, 46, of Santa Ana, according to the Orange County Coroner’s Office.
Police were called just after 7:30 a.m. Thursday to the 1600 block of East Chapman Avenue regarding a woman armed with a knife in an office building, Fullerton police Sgt. Jon Radus said.
Moments later, the therapist called police to say one of her patients had injured her, Radus said.
Police arrived within four minutes of the first call and determined the suspect and victim were locked in the 40-year-old therapist’s small office, Radus said. When police got into the room, they confronted the suspect and an officer-involved shooting occurred, he said.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, and police recovered a “fairly large knife,” Radus said.
The woman had the knife in her hand when she was shot, police told reporters.
Jacki Stevens, a licensed clinical social worker, suffered knife wounds to her back and was taken to a hospital to be treated for what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.
Stevens released a statement thanking Fullerton police “for their quick and decisive action. Without their rapid response, I would likely not be here today,” she said. “I would also like to thank Fullerton fire department, first responders, and hospital staff that have assisted me today. The show of support from patients and community has been overwhelming. I am recuperating with my family and loved ones, and request that our privacy be respected at this time, as well as that of my office and patients.”
Her husband told FOX11 that his wife was a “tough cookie” and was in good spirits.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the shooting, standard protocol in such cases.