Elderly Woman Killed During Police Shootout

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by FOX News

Story Created: Feb 21, 2013 at 2:56 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 21, 2013 at 2:57 PM EDT

BUCKS COUNTY, P.A. (FOX News)--An elderly Pennsylvania woman was reportedly killed in a shootout between police and a “highly intoxicated” Bucks County man.

The Allentown Morning Call reports that Marie Zienkewicz, 89, was in her apartment Tuesday night when she was hit by crossfire, according to Warminster police.

Zienkewicz lived in the apartment below the man who was shooting at police, authorities said. Police and the Bucks County district attorney's office did not say who shot Zienkewicz. An investigation is ongoing.

Andrew G. Cairns, 49, began fighting with his girlfriend on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. Both were "highly intoxicated" by alcohol and drugs, District Attorney David Heckler told the newspaper.

Cairns' girlfriend later called police and said he had fired two shots from his .44 Magnum handgun in an attempt to kill himself. When officers arrived, Heckler said, Cairns fired at least eight shots at them. The officers returned at least four shots, he said. Police said Zienkewicz was hit during that exchange. She was found dead in her apartment after the gunfight.

Cairns barricaded himself in his apartment until turning himself in around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, police said. His girlfriend escaped from the apartment around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cairns was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault, among other counts. He is jailed with bail set at $10 million.

Reached by telephone, Zienkewicz's son-in-law declined to comment.

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