Metro Police ID officer involved in shooting of woman armed with knife

By Brian Nordli

Published Monday, March 24, 2014 | 10:56 a.m.

Updated Monday, March 24, 2014 | 4:11 p.m.

A Metro Police officer who shot and injured a knife-wielding woman on Friday was identified by the department today as Sgt. Esmeralda Boveda.

Boveda responded to a domestic disturbance call about 9:20 p.m. Friday involving a woman, Tania Torres-Espinoza, 50, who was armed with two kitchen knives and had just left a home, Metro Officer Larry Hadfield said.

Boveda found Torres-Espinoza walking on Tropicana Avenue, near Celo Lane, armed with a knife, Hadfield said. When Boveda stepped out of her vehicle, Torres-Espinoza began walking toward her, he said.

When Torres-Espinoza continued walking toward the officer, Boveda fired twice, striking the woman, Hadfield said.

Torres-Espinoza was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in unknown condition. She was arrested on counts of assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon on an officer and resisting a public officer with a weapon.

A Metro arrest report indicates Torres-Espinoza and her husband had been arguing. The husband called 911 after Torres-Espinoza held two knives over his head and told him to beg for forgiveness, the report said. When her husband fled the residence, Torres-Espinoza chased him across the street, according to the report.

Torres-Espinoza eventually stopped chasing him and walked north on Celo Lane toward Tropicana Avenue, where she encountered Boveda, the report said.

Boveda, who has worked at Metro since 2003, was placed on routine paid administrative leave while the shooting is reviewed.