CHICAGO (WBBM/CBS 2/STNG/AP) ― We're learning more about the woman accused of fatally shooting Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis during a scuffle early yesterday.

She's identified by relatives and law enforcement sources as 44-year-old Robin Johnson.

Her family tells the Sun-Times that Johnson has suffered from seizures and mental problems for years and she'd threatened her daughter with a knife just days before the shooting. They suspect she had stopped taking her medication.

Johnson was shot by police who responded to the shooting of Francis.We're learning more about the woman accused of fatally shooting Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis during a scuffle early yesterday.

She's identified by relatives and law enforcement sources as 44-year-old Robin Johnson.

Her family tells the Sun-Times that Johnson has suffered from seizures and mental problems for years and she'd threatened her daughter with a knife just days before the shooting. They suspect she had stopped taking her medication.

Johnson was shot by police who responded to the shooting of Francis.

An announcement is said to be coming soon on charges against Johnson, who's accused of grabbing Francis' weapon and shooting him dead right outside the Belmont Area Headquarters.

Police say the woman identified as Johnson was harassing people at a bus stop at the corner of Belmont and Western avenues at 2 a.m. Wednesday. Belmont District Officer Richard Francis was on routine patrol at the time and stepped out to investigate.

He got into a struggle with the woman, who grabbed his gun and shot him in the head.

Backup officers came to help, but were unable to save him. The woman allegedly tried to threaten the other officers who responded, and they in turn shot her nine times.

Francis was pronounced dead at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center around 3 a.m. The woman was in treatment there as of Thursday morning.

Photo: Officer Richard Francis with his pet dog.

There is talk at the Belmont District station that the shooter is a homeless woman whom police at the Belmont District station, 2452 W. Belmont Ave., have had dealings with before.

Francis was the first officer shot and killed in the line of duty in six years. For the first time since he took over at the beginning of the year, police Supt. Jody Weis continued a sad but proud tradition – visiting the family of a slain police officer, offering not only his condolences, but also a $5,000 check from the Hundred Club, which raises money to aid families of fallen officers.

Ralph Scheu with the 100 Club said, "It's particularly difficult when you think he was killed by his own gun." As for the fact the person who killed Francis was a woman, Scheu said, "Women are just as bad as men. Don't fool yourself."

Francis had received several commendations throughout his career as an officer and his time serving with the U.S. Navy, Chicago police said.

In the Jefferson Park neighborhood where he lived, neighbors and friends were coming to terms with their loss.

Francis leaves behind a wife and two children, ages 19 and 12, according to fellow officers. Neighbors described Francis as a dedicated father and good neighbor.

Neighbor Barbara Rehn said tearfully, "They always talk about the bad things officers do, but this was an amazing human being, an amazing human being. I mean that from the bottom of my heart."

Outside his Jefferson Park home Wednesday afternoon were some of the things Francis loved and left behind: his motorcycle and his two basset hounds, Tallulah and Nelson.

Neighbor Ron Schmidt said: "I always kidded him about when he was going to retire. I said they were going to have to throw him off the force."

Donald Marquez was the last Chicago police officer to be shot and killed while on duty. The 20-year veteran was gunned down in March 2002 on the Northwest Side.

Marquez was attempting to serve a warrant on a 77-year-old man on North Avers. The man opened fire and was shot to death by police after a 15-minute gun battle.

An off-duty officer was shot and killed in February 2007.

Police said they may have an update Thursday morning on funeral arrangements for Francis and charges against the woman who allegedly shot him. She remained in critical condition Wednesday night.