On September 12, Pittsburgh police officers were thrust into a tense hostage situation that left a 10-year-old girl accidentally tased and led to the arrest of the child’s mother, 48-year-old Gwendolyn Gilmore.
The surprising event evolved after officers were flagged down by a man on Knox Avenue who reported his Chevy Equinox had just been stolen, according to a statement released by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
As per the authorities’ release, witnesses claimed a woman had pulled a driver from their vehicle and driven away with the stolen car.
Officers quickly located the car about half a mile away on Brownsville Road. They soon found Gilmore, accompanied by two children, on a nearby street.
Police stated that as they approached, Gilmore brandished a knife and held the children—her 10-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old boy, whose relation to Gilmore remains unclear, though some reports suggest he may be her nephew—at knifepoint.
Citing a criminal complaint, CBS affiliate KDKA reported that one officer drew a gun and ordered Gilmore to drop the knife. In response, Gilmore wrapped her arms around the children’s necks, holding the blade dangerously close to her daughter’s throat.
Officers then announced they would switch from guns to tasers in an attempt to safely disarm Gilmore and rescue the children.
The tense standoff escalated when, during the deployment of a taser by one of the officers, the 10-year-old girl was accidentally struck in the head by a taser prong. The boy was also inadvertently hit in the leg, as per ABC affiliate WTAE. The girl suffered a seizure at the scene and sustained a minor scalp injury.
Officers immediately provided aid, and Pittsburgh EMS transported the girl to a local children’s hospital, where she has since been released into the care of a relative. The boy, too, is now in the custody of a family member.
Gilmore was arrested and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being transferred to Allegheny County Jail. She now faces multiple charges, including theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and endangering the welfare of children.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has announced an “extensive review” of the incident to assess whether the use of force was appropriate.
In a statement, the bureau emphasized its commitment to reviewing all such cases involving Pittsburgh police officers.
Beth Pittinger, executive director of the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board, expressed support for the officers’ actions.
In an interview with KDKA, “Police did an excellent job at managing that situation and ended up protecting those children from further harm.”
She noted that the children faced a significant threat and believed the officers’ response was realistic and reasonable. However, Pittinger added, “Physically, they’ll be okay, but in terms of their psychological insult as a result of this by the mother, it’s unforgivable.”
