CHICAGO, Illinois - January 11, 2010 - Niles police officers unnecessarily stunned an 83-year-old woman with a Taser last month after police say - but witnesses dispute - she threatened them with a knife.

Sylvia Ziecina of 887 Washington St. in Niles was charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer on January 6, after being released from a mental health evaluation at Lutheran General Hospital.

Police say that two officers went to Ziecina's residence on December 8 because she was complaining about noise coming from the apartment next door.

Officers who went to the scene say that they saw Ziecina holding a 7-inch kitchen knife when they arrived.

She refused to drop the knife after officers drew their weapons and commanded her to do so, police say.

At one point, according to a police report, Ziecina told the officers to shoot her.

The officers at the scene then stunned Ziecina with a Taser and took the knife from her hand.

She was then transported to Lutheran General Hospital, where she was released in good health after a psychological evaluation, according to police reports.

Ziecina is due in court February 23 to answer to the misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault against a peace officer.