What Happened on May 5, 2002?
That evening, Anna decided to take her own life. Taking a steak knife from the kitchen, she made three phone calls to say goodbye, and then retreated to her room. Upon observing her actions, her foster parents, Robert and Zaida Worthley, called the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department Crisis Team and then the police out of fear for Anna's own safety.

Five armed Ventura police officers arrived at the Worthley's residence before the crisis team, among them rookie officer Kristin Rupp, on the force for no more than a year. Instead of following their own department policies and procedures for dealing with emotionally distraught victims, police failed to wait for the crisis team and entered the house, fanning out to find Anna, leaving the rookie officer alone near the kitchen.

Soon after, Anna appeared at the top of the stairs, suicide knife in hand. Officer Rupp immediately drew her firearm and panicked as Anna continued to walk down the stairs, shooting her twice in the stomach, and one more shot after a brief pause. Anna was sent to the hospital, where she was interrogated by detectives in the emergency medical room.