LADUE, Mo. — New details emerged in Ladue's first known officer-involved shooting.
We're learning that the officer who shot a woman in a Schnucks parking lot, reportedly grabbed her gun, instead of her taser.
The officer's attorney, Travis Noble, is defending his client's actions saying it was an accident.
It happened last Tuesday at the Ladue Shopping Center, when Schnucks says two women left without paying. When Noble's client stopped one of the women in the parking lot, witnesses say there was a struggle.
The gun went off and shot the alleged suspect in the stomach. She is expected to be okay.
"She's obviously very devastated on what happened an absolutely tragic accident. This was a circumstance, heat of the moment, split second, she's in chase. She thought she pulled the taser, screams the command, 'taser taser taser'," Noble tells us.
Noble defends the female officer said there's a whole body of research behind weapon confusion since it has to do a lot with muscle memory.
"As as departments, we train constantly for firearm training and training for tasers, you may train once a year," Noble adds.
The name of the officer has not been released. She's served the city for 13 years. Noble said she never even pulled a taser before last week's shooting. She is on administrative leave during the investigation.
"Right now, we're on wait to see what the prosecutor's office decide on what they are going to do," Noble tells us.
St. Louis County Police Department is assisting Ladue Police in the investigation. A spokesperson tells us the thorough and impartial investigation continues.
Ladue Police are also looking for this woman:
They want to talk to her about her possible involvement. Police say she was with the other woman who was shot by the officer.
Anyone with information about the woman's identity is asked to contact the lead investigator at 314-615-8634.