Lori Renee Knowles, 37, died on July 24, 2014, in Hampton, Georgia, after police shot her during a response to a 911 call from her home on Cobb Court. Her husband, Ken Knowles, had also called 911 saying Lori was bipolar and likely had taken too much medication. Officers forced entry after a 911 hang-up and found Lori with a gun at her side. Police say she did not show her hands and moved toward the weapon, prompting Officer Jason Hart to fire.

Paramedics found a gunshot wound to her right breast; she was strapped to a stretcher and given antipsychotic medication while en route to the hospital. She began seizing, became unresponsive, and died of a cardiac dysrhythmia before arrival. The autopsy found the bullet did not enter the chest cavity and concluded the wound could have contributed to stress that, together with mixed drug intoxication and her history of bipolar and panic disorders, led to the fatal cardiac event.

Ken Knowles later filed a civil suit alleging excessive force; court records show the officer’s entitlement to qualified and official immunity was a central issue. No criminal charges are known to have been filed. If anyone witnessed the police response that night or has information about Lori’s condition before officers arrived, please share what is known.