NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. -- An elderly woman was shot and killed by police Sunday. Dressed in black, wearing a latex glove and holding a loaded weapon, police said she had an elaborate plot to ambush her ex-boyfriend.

Neighbors of 71-year-old Elsa Seman are having a hard time believing that the church-going, caring mother would plan such a thing.

“It’s very shocking. She’s an older woman. You wouldn’t expect this,” said Darra Hydik.

Whatever Seman had in mind for her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend at a home along Shady Lane in North Versailles isn’t clear, but police said she aimed a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic at a responding police officer, forcing him to open fire.

“He ordered the suspect to show her hand. She pointed to the firearm. He discharged his weapon," said James Nort, North Versailles police chief.

Seman was taken to the closest hospital but died a short time later.

The officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave with pay while county police conduct an investigation.

The shooting took place around 8 p.m. Sunday. A neighbor called 911 after spotting someone she thought was a prowler, crouched behind her ex-boyfriend Richard Ireland’s home.

Police said Ireland and Seman had dated off and on for two years but things turned ugly after they split.

Police believe Seman’s plan was to ambush her lover and his new girlfriend.

“Officers saved two people. Her intention was not good,” said Nort.