New details emerge in Half Moon Bay police shooting

Authorities say 56-year-old Eureka woman shot at deputy, reached for gun after being ordered to get down

HALF MOON BAY – New details emerged Wednesday in a fatal officer-involved shooting the previous night in Half Moon Bay.

In a news release, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said 56-year-old Eureka resident Sandra Lee Harmon fired a gun at a deputy who found her behind a business on the 800 block of Main Street. The deputy had been called to the area of Main Street and Monte Vista Lane about 7:25 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a woman with a firearm.

A second deputy arrived at the scene as shots were being fired. Both deputies ordered Harmon to get on the ground, but she did not comply, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said Harmon reached for the gun, which was on the ground at that point. The deputies fired their service weapons at Harmon, hitting her at least once.

Harmon was rushed to Stanford Health Care, where she was later pronounced dead.

No one else was injured or killed in the shooting.

The sheriff’s office did not identify the deputies, but said they have been placed on routine administrative leave while the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office investigates the shooting. The sheriff’s office said it is also conducting an internal review.

Anyone with information about the case can contact the sheriff’s office anonymous tip line at 800-547-2700.