Two Georgia police officers were injured during a shootout with a suspected gun store burglar. The incident occurred early Saturday morning, and the suspect was killed by police.
Two Georgia police officers were injured during a shootout with a suspected gun store burglar just after midnight Saturday morning.
The officers responded to a 911 call at 12:16 a.m. regarding a burglary at the Adventure Outdoors gun store along South Cobb Drive, Smyrna Police Department Chief Keith Zgonc said during an early morning press conference. The expansive 80,000 square foot store and range is about 13 miles northwest of Downtown Atlanta.
Officers Injured in Shootout with Gun Store Burglar
When officers arrived, they encountered an armed gunman that was inside the store at the time, Zgonc said. Gunfire erupted between the gunman and officers on scene.
Officers from the Smyrna Police Department and the Cobb County Police Department returned fire, killing the suspect. His identity has not been revealed.
Officers Injured in Shootout with Gun Store Burglar
Two Smyrna Police Department officers were shot and injured during the shooting. They were both transported to a local area hospital where they are recovering from their non-life-threatening injuries.
A SWAT team was subsequently brought in to secure the store and ensure there was no one else inside.
Officers Injured in Shootout with Gun Store Burglar
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is on the scene and is investigating the incident, Zgonc said.
Zgonc said police were unsure if the suspect had broken into the store to steal weapons. The store was closed at the time.
Officers Injured in Shootout with Gun Store Burglar
Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said it is very concerning that a suspect would shoot at police, noting that two officers have been killed in metro Atlanta the last few weeks.
He said there was a massive police response given the recent police shootings in the area and the nature of the store, which has about 18,000 guns in stock, according to the company’s website. The store touts itself as the "actual largest gun store in the world."
Officers Injured in Shootout with Gun Store Burglar
"We had a lot of officers come and that’s the reason that they came," VanHoozer said.
"I’m angry, it angers me that we have people that want to do this," Zgonc added.
"They want to take shots at police officers. They want to do us harm and clearly, this individual that was involved in this criminal act necessitated our response."
The incident is still under investigation.
* The suspect was armed with a handgun.
* The officers who were shot were both wearing body armor.
* The store has been closed since the incident.
* The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation.
* No other injuries were reported.
* The suspect's motive is unknown.
* The officers who were shot are expected to make a full recovery.
* The store is located in a busy shopping center.
* The shooting is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the Atlanta area.
* The incident has raised concerns about the safety of police officers.
* The store has been the target of several burglaries in the past.
* The store has increased security measures in recent years.
