Categories: Breaking NewsDisastersGovernment NewsNews

Fulton County Police Involved in Dual Shootings in Atlanta

Police vehicles and crowd at a shooting incident scene in Atlanta

News Summary

Atlanta faced a violence-filled day with two separate shooting incidents involving Fulton County police. One suspect was killed, and a deputy was injured in a drive-by shooting while assisting a fellow officer. These events underscore concerns about police safety and accountability in the community. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is set to conduct independent reviews of both shootings, reflecting growing anxiety around public safety in Atlanta.

Fulton County Police Involved in Two Separate Shootings in Atlanta, One Suspect Killed and Deputy Injured

In a day marked by violence, _Atlanta_ witnessed two separate shooting incidents involving Fulton County police officers on Thursday. The first shooting unfolded just before 1 p.m. on _Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW_, in an area notorious for drug activity.

Officers, already on patrol, came across a group of individuals loitering, prompting immediate suspicion. When one individual took off running, police initiated a pursuit. The suspect, later identified as _24-year-old Damario Smith_, returned to his vehicle amidst officer commands to shut off the engine and raise his hands. Instead, Smith reached for a handgun, forcing officers to open fire. He was transported to _Grady Hospital_, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The incident has drawn attention and sorrow, particularly from family members and witnesses. As a crowd gathered to express their concerns, police found it necessary to restrain at least two individuals at the scene, emphasizing the heightened emotions surrounding the shooting.

To ensure accountability, the _Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)_ will conduct an independent examination of this encounter. The case will then be forwarded to the _Fulton County District Attorney’s Office_ for further review once the investigation wraps up.

Deputy Shot in Separate Incident

_5:45 p.m._ at _Forsyth Street and Trinity Avenue_. Responding to assist a fellow officer, the deputy was caught in a drive-by shooting, sustaining a gunshot wound to the _lower body_. Fortunately, the deputy remained alert and stable, later receiving treatment at _Grady Memorial Hospital_.

The investigation into the deputy’s shooting is being led by the _Atlanta Police Department_, who are piecing together the details surrounding the attack, which involved suspects firing from a moving vehicle. This event has heightened concerns regarding the safety of law enforcement in the area, as expressed by Sheriff Patrick Labat.

Remarkably, this marks the second officer-involved shooting for Fulton County on the same day, raising alarms about public safety and police encounters in the community. The GBI’s involvement indicates that a thorough review of both incidents is on the horizon, as they strive to uncover the full circumstances.