An investigation is under way after a woman was shot and killed Sunday night by St. Petersburg police.

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, an officer was forced to shoot Pamela Dale Kirk, 53, at her home on 13th Avenue N. when she pointed a gun at officers.

Officers had gone to the home to provide a welfare check on Dale. They said she was standing inside of the home near the back door when she pulled back the curtain on a large window adjacent to the rear door and pointed a revolver at the backup officer.

According to police, Officer Christopher Dolch, 38, fired his gun and struck the woman in the chest.

"She pulled back the blinds and was standing there with a .38 special," said police spokesman Bill Proffitt said. "(She) pointed it at the officer when he fired."

Police said a neighbor was concerned about Dale, who had been acting strangely all day. The neighbor said Dale appeared to have mental problems, police said.

Dale was transported to a local hospital, where she later died.

Police say in dealing with these types of calls, their goal is to get the person the help they need.

"Most times we have a happy ending there,” said SPPD spokesperson Bill Proffitt. “Most times officers are able to help the people or maybe take them in a Baker Act, talk to their family or counselors. But every once in a while there's a gun involved, and things go wrong."

Her friend, Cheryl Toenjes, left flowers in front of her home on Monday.

"I'm going to put these on her gate so she doesn't feel left out because nobody has,” she said crying. "She's just always been very nice. Pleasant, you know? Very smart."

Police say Kirk has been Baker Acted four times in recent years after making suicidal comments. Investigators also tell us in 2011 she voluntarily gave police her guns but later gave her neighbor Power of Attorney to get them back.

Toenjes said she wishes she'd known just how upset her friend was. She said Kirk had been going through a stressful time with relationship troubles.

The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office will investigate the case to determine if the shooting was justified.

Officer Dolch has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.