Family members identify woman shot by North Branch police this week

Family members have identified the woman who was shot and killed by police in North Branch, north of the Twin Cities.

Jamie Ann Crabtree, 36, was killed Thursday night in a confrontation with police near her home in the 38900 block of 3rd Avenue, her sister-in-law said, and her husband, Nicholas Williams, confirmed to the Star Tribune.

According to police, Crabtree was armed with a handgun, intoxicated and suicidal at the time of the altercation. An officer hit Crabtree with nonlethal pepper spray, and then a second officer shot her with his weapon. She died at the scene.

Sister-in-law Sarah Clifford, who started an online fundraiser to help the family with expenses related to Crabtree’s death, wrote: “She loved her family, her friends and had such a big heart for animals. She was a very caring person and easy to get along with. We will miss her forever.”

Police have not yet said what prompted the officers to shoot the woman. Police Chief Dan Meyer said the incident was recorded on the officers’ body-worn cameras.

The officers involved have been placed on normal administrative leave, the chief said.

As usual, the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation into the shooting and is expected to release more details in the coming days.

According to a Star Tribune database, police in Minnesota have killed at least 240 people since 2000, including nine this year and 11 last year.

Star Tribune writer Jeff Hargarten contributed to this report.