Bodycam Footage Reveals Frantic Final Moments
Disturbing body camera footage has been presented as evidence, showing the final moments of a 36-year-old Montana woman who was shot 16 times by law enforcement officers. The incident occurred in March of this year in Helena, after Danielle Moore allegedly threatened a judge with a handgun.
A Confrontation at the Courthouse
The chain of events began at the Lewis & Clark County courthouse, where Moore is accused of pointing a black pistol at Judge Christopher Abbott and security staff. Deputies responded to multiple 911 calls and located Moore several blocks away from the scene.
According to official reports, Moore was non-compliant with officers' demands. The newly released footage shows the frantic scene as officers, with their service weapons drawn, repeatedly yelled at Moore to stop moving and show her hands. At one point, she screamed 'NO' back at them.
As officers closed in, Moore initially had her hands up but was heard screaming and cursing. One officer can be heard pleading, 'We don't want to have to shoot you.' Shockingly, the video shows Moore dropping her arms to her sides and raising them in a shrug on several occasions before turning her back to the officials.
The Fatal Reach for a Weapon
The situation escalated dramatically when Moore dropped to one knee. With her back towards the officers, she appeared to reach for an item in the back of her waistband. Almost instantly, a volley of gunshots rang out, with officers firing 16 rounds.
The pistol she was reaching for fell from her hand as the bullets struck her. Officers then rushed to Moore, handcuffed her, and attempted life-saving measures. Tragically, Moore succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
A crucial detail emerged during the coroner's inquest held on Thursday: Moore's handgun was not loaded. Her ammunition was reportedly found in her van, which was parked outside the courthouse.
Further evidence included Facebook videos Moore had posted hours before the confrontation. In one, she stated, 'I don't want to hurt anybody, but I'm not getting hurt either.' Judge Abbott testified during the inquest, revealing his fear at the time: 'I thought she was going to shoot me.'
The hearing, conducted by Anaconda Deer Lodge County Coroner Jessie Sather, features a jury of nine people and ten witnesses. The inquest is a mandatory procedure under state law when an individual dies while being arrested by a peace officer. The proceedings continued today as officials seek to establish the full facts of this tragic event.
