Family says woman killed in Birmingham officer-involved shooting had autism, was protecting her mother

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified a woman killed by Birmingham Police on Wednesday.

Vanessa Ragland, 36, of Birmingham, was killed after police responded to an incident in the 600 block of Brunson Avenue.

A family of Ragland posted online saying Ragland, who has autism, was shot multiple times.

“A neighbor called the police because they heard someone arguing,” Ragland’s cousin stated on Facebook. “The police came, walked into the house. My uncle and his wife had an argument. They started to arrest his wife because they felt like she was the aggressor. Her daughter (Vanessa), who is autistic, grabbed the police Taser to protect her mom.”

Chief Michael Pickett made a brief statement Wednesday evening but did not answer questions.

Ragland was transported to UAB Hospi