Officials: Pima County sheriff's deputy fatally shoots woman brandishing two-by-four

A Pima County Sheriff's Department deputy shot and killed a woman brandishing a two-by-four in Tucson on Saturday, officials said.

Deputy James Allerton, a spokesman for the department, said 38-year-old Amanda Alvarez struck a resident of the 4700 block of West Camino Tierra with a two-by-four at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday.

Deputies found the female in a trailer. She was shot "shortly after" by Deputy Samuel Herrera, Allerton said. Herrera has been with the department for a year and a half, he said.

The department on Tuesday also confirmed that the woman had used a spray intended for use on bears to fend off the deputies. The spray is a form of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, officials said.

Alvarez was taken to University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead Saturday, according to Allerton.

Multiple deputies were treated for chemical burns and released, police said.

Alvarez had an extensive criminal history, including numerous contacts with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the agency said Tuesday.

At the time of the shooting, Alvarez had an active felony warrant out for her arrest. She also was involved in an attempted stabbing of a deputy using an arrow a week before, officials said.

This investigation remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Return to azcentral.com for updates.