Loreal Juana Barnell-Tsingine, 27, was shot and killed by police on Sunday (March 27). Her family says the Navajo woman, who allegedly threatened an officer with a weapon, was armed only with a pair of scissors.

"There are no words to describe the pain in our hearts," her family said in a statement to Indian Country Today Media Network (ICTMN). A police officer in Winslow, Arizona, shot Tsingine after being summoned to Circle K for a shoplifting call. Officers found her a few blocks from the store and say that she struggled when they attempted to arrest her.

"While attempting to take the subject into custody, a struggle ensued," the Winslow Police Department said in a press release. "At this time, the subject displayed a weapon which presented a substantial threat to the officer. The officer discharged his weapon resulting in the unfortunate death."

The officer, which Native News Online identified as Austin Shipley, has been placed on administrative leave while detectives from the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Major Crimes District conduct an investigation. Barnell-Tsingine’s family has created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses.

(H/t Indian Country Today Media Network, Native News Online)