BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Prosecutors are building their case against a Buffalo woman who they say tried to kill a man with a knife and was then shot by police.
38-year-old Cynthia Gilbert was arraigned on Friday morning on an indictment charging her with attempted murder and attempted sssault in connection with the incident that occurred on Donovan Drive on September 27.
WATCH: Woman shot by Buffalo police after allegedly trying to kill man facing attempted murder charge
Authorities say Gilbert was armed with a large knife while standing outside of an apartment complex with several other adults nearby. According to investigators, Gilbert refused multiple commands to drop her weapon and was pepper-sprayed by an officer when she approached the group.
After the pepper spray was deployed, Gilbert allegedly continued to refuse orders and injured a man by trying to stab him with the knife. That's when an officer reportedly fired his gun, injuring Gilbert.
Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane met with reporters late Friday afternoon to discuss the case.
"Our office has determined that the officer's use of force was justified,” DA Keane said. “Police officers showed extraordinary calm, restraint, patience, and professionalism in this situation, and quite frankly, the determination that their use of force was justified was not a difficult one. They tried to de-escalate a very tense situation. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so."
The 39-year-old man who was stabbed was taken to ECMC where he was treated for a laceration to his head.
Keane reviewed the police body cam video, saying he would describe it as “chaotic."
“The officers showed incredible calm and poise in a pretty, you know, pretty dramatic situation,” noted Keane.
Keane said his office can’t release the footage at this time as it remains in evidence, but the Buffalo Police Department could decide to release it at a later date.
“I’ve had that conversation with them, and they're going to make that decision independent of our office," Keane said. "Normally, we work hand in hand on those decisions. And you know, the challenge here is that there has been, at least initially, there was a narrative out in the public that the police might want to get in front of. We ask them, typically, not do that until we're done with an investigation. We don't like evidence being out in the public sphere because it can compromise an investigation."
As of Friday afternoon, Gilbert's next court date has not been scheduled.
