Robin Kindle says she's been dating Gary Lee Gahart for about two years. She says in the last few months he had been showing signs of mental illness. Even going so far as saying he's been planning a "suicide by cop."
Thursday night Kindle was at her mother's house in Porterville, when her mother says Gahart kicked in the door and threatened to kill her if Kindle didn't go with him. Kindle says she went willingly, even though police are calling it a kidnapping.
Kindle says she drove with Gahart and his cousin to an apartment in Tulare. She says they ended up in a parking lot, and that's where police found them.
Witnesses say police told him to freeze and he made a move, prompting officers to open fire.
According to Tulare police, the suspect didn't fire at officers, but he was armed.
People in the area say they heard as many as 30 shots fired, but police did no confirm that information.
The identity and condition of Gahart's cousin, who was in the car, is still in question. Witnesses say they saw him being taken away by police.
The officers involved remain on administrative leave, pending the results of the investigation.
TXT 24
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