Woman Who Shot Cop Struggled With Mental Illness

Woman Who Shot Cop Struggled With Mental Illness, Family Says
KUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
Written by: Doug G. Ware
Email: dware@kutv2.com
Last Update: 6/24 11:50 pm

SALT LAKE CITY - The woman who shot a Lehi police captain twice in the head during a traffic stop Monday struggled with mental illness over the past year, and was working toward a new life, family members said.

According to a report in Tuesday's Salt Lake Tribune, Kelly Wark suffered from "severe" mental illness -- which might have included post-traumatic stress disorder and paranoia.

Wark, 34, of Gig Harbor, Wash., was shot to death in Lehi on Monday following a traffic stop -- during which she pulled a handgun and shot Lehi Police Capt. Harold Terry twice in the head. (Click for photos of Kelly Wark)

A gas station clerk nearby called police and claimed Wark seemed a bit unstable and was driving erratically. The shootout occurred when Capt. Terry stopped her less than a mile away.

Terry was hospitalized with critical injuries, but was expected to survive.

An investigation into the shooting continued Tuesday, as officials try to determine what led a troubled young woman to turn to violence during a seemingly minor offense.
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