A police officer accidentally shot and killed a woman when he opened fire to try and hit a loose dog.

Disturbing bodycam footage released by the Arlington Police Department in Texas revealed how an officer who aimed fire at a dog missed and struck a passerby on August 1.

As the officer approached the woman, he noticed a dog on the loose barking furiously.

He asked the lady, who was standing nearby: "Hello. Are you OK?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," the woman replies.

The officer then asks her: "Is that your dog? Can you get him?"

He then steps back and pulls out his hand gun, firing multiple shots at the canine.

This sparks a reaction from the woman, who exclaimed: "What the f***" and then shouted "Oh my God!" before collapsing on the grass.

Police, fire crews and emergency medical services arrived to the scene and the woman was rushed to hospital.

The lady, identified as 30-year-old Margarita Brooks, died from a gun shot wound to the chest.

The animal suffered a bullet graze, according to a police report.

Police said in a statement: "As the officer called out to the woman repeatedly concerning her welfare, the dog began to run towards the officer while barking.

"The officer retreated backwards from the running dog while drawing his duty firearm.

"The officer discharged his firearm multiple times towards the dog. After the shots were fired, the woman yelled out and it was apparent she was injured."

Source: Read Full Article