Texas Airport Shooter Had Lengthy Arrest History, Was Always Declared Unfit For Trial

Dallas, TX – Authorities have released more information about the armed woman who was shot by police inside the Dallas Love Field airport on Monday morning after she fired a gun into the air.

Authorities said that 37-year-old Portia Odufuwa has a lengthy criminal history across Texas that included charges for arson, robbery, criminal trespass, and false reporting, FOX News reported.

But time and again, judges have deemed Odufuwa incompetent to stand trial and referred her to inpatient or outpatient mental health programs.

Then those cases were dismissed, FOX News reported.

Last summer, a Dallas County judge determined that Odufuwa wasn’t a danger to others.

But on Monday, she proved them all wrong when she pulled out a gun and started shooting inside the Dallas airport that serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines, FOX News reported.

Authorities said the incident began at about 11 a.m. on July 25 after the Odufuwa was dropped off at the airport, the Associated Press reported.

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said the woman walked into the airport near the ticket counters and then went into a bathroom.

Chief Garcia said she emerged from the bathroom wearing a hoodie and other clothing she hadn’t arrived in and pulled out a gun, the Associated Press reported.

Then the suspect began firing shots at the ceiling, the police chief said.

“At this point, we don’t know where exactly the individual was aiming,” Chief Garcia said.

Other travelers inside the airport scattered and took cover when the gunfire began.

A Dallas police officer who was nearby when the gunfire erupted responded and shot the woman in the “lower extremities,” the Associated Press reported.

The police chief said she was wounded and then taken into custody before being transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“No other individuals were injured in this event other than the suspect,” Chief Garcia said.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents evacuated the airport and flights were temporarily grounded on the busy runways.

🚨 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUSPENDED: Passengers should refrain from coming to Dallas Love Field at this time as flight operations have been suspended. Travelers should check directly with their airline for the latest updates on their flight status. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/ihvHxKrjSp

— Dallas Love Field (@DallasLoveField) July 25, 2022

Court records showed this wasn’t the first time that Odufuwa has pulled a gun in public, FOX News reported.

She was arrested in April of 2021 when she pulled a gun on a hotel front desk clerk.

After that incident, Odufuwa, who was homeless at the time, gave police the address of rapper Chris Brown’s mansion as her home address, FOX News reported.

Odufuwa was arrested for arson in October of 2019 in Mesquite after she set a house that she used to live in on fire multiple times.

“I am God’s prophet, and I need an attorney, but I’m basically letting you all know that I am the cause of this fire,” she told responding officers at the scene.

Court records showed Odufuwa told police she couldn’t give them more details until she spoke to her husband, rapper Chris Brown, FOX News reported.

She was accused of attempted bank robbery in April of 2019 after she passed a note to a teller demanding money at a Bank of America.

But once again, the judge found her unfit to stand trial and she was referred for psychiatric treatment, FOX News reported.