Dakalb, GA officer shot outside of courthouse

[Carbonfiberfoot]

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/t...b-court/nhbFh/

Police officer, inmate shot at DeKalb court

A DeKalb County police officer and an inmate were shot outside the DeKalb County Magistrate Court on Thursday night, officials confirmed.

Mekka Parish, spokeswoman for the police department, said the officer was in critical condition and had been taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Parish said the other gunshot victim, whom she referred to as “a subject involved,” was transported to an area hospital.

The shooting happened outside the courthouse, which is across the street from the DeKalb County Jail near Interstate 285.

There were no details about how the gunfire exchange started or how many people shot.

“This remains a very active scene and fluid investigation,” Parish said.

By 9:45 p.m. the scene outside the court building had calmed somewhat with only 20 to 25 police cars. One of the ambulances left the scene around 9:15 p.m.

News outlets outside the crime scene tape saw at least one woman with blood splattered on her jeans. Officers also interviewed an inmate in an orange jumpsuit briefly and then took him away in a police car.

Police are expected to brief reporters shortly.

[Carbonfiberfoot]

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/t...b-court/nhbFh/

Inmate dies, officer in surgery after DeKalb court building shooting

An inmate was killed and a DeKalb County police officer was critically wounded Thursday night when one of two armed robbery suspects got control of one of the officer’s guns, DeKalb Public Safety Director Cedric Alexander.

Two officers were escorting the two suspects back to the jail after a court appearance.

The officer, whose name was not released, was shot in the leg and the arm. He was in surgery, Alexander said. The armed robbery suspect was killed by the other detective.

The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. on the steps to the building that houses Magistrate Court, where defendants make their first appearances before a judge. Alexander said it is not yet known how the inmate got the officer’s gun as the two prisoners were being escorted by the detectives.

[Carbonfiberfoot]

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/t...b-court/nhbFh/

A handcuffed armed robbery suspect managed to get a DeKalb County police detective’s gun and shoot him before another officer killed the prisoner Thursday night.

The police officer was shot in the leg and his wrist and was taken immediately to surgery after the 8:30 p.m. shooting on the steps leading to the building where Magistrate Court is held, DeKalb Public Safety Director Cedric Alexander said.

After the inmate, whose name was not released, fired at the officer, another DeKalb detective shot the armed prisoner.

Alexander said the reaction of the second detective “was vital. The robbery suspect could have continued to fire. Fortunately, one of our detectives was able to respond and to secure the scene by firing on the subject and making the scene safe for the public and the (wounded) officer.”

He said the suspect had a history of armed robberies, while the wounded detective is a 20-year veteran with an “impeccable record.”

“Both detectives were doing their job,” Alexander said. “They had secured two robbery suspects who have victimized this community. (The detectives) were following up on their cases. They were taking both these subjects back to the jail.

“How they were able to get possession of the officer’s weapon is still part of the investigation,” Alexander said. “He did get the officer’s weapon and he did fire that weapon.”

Alexander didn’t know if the prisoners’ hands were secured in front or in back.

Alexander said preliminary information was that the second prisoner was not involved.
“He just happened to be there,” Alexander said.

The shooting happened on the steps to the building where defendants make their first appearances before a judge. The two detectives were escorting the suspects back to the jail across the street. The shooting was just a few yards from the door, on the steps leading up to the street.

The inmate was taken to DeKalb Medical Center, while the officer was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital.

“This is a very sad and unfortunate incident,” Alexander said. “That officer has a family and we’re going to pray he gets through this tonight.”

[tj05]

I'll continue to pray for the injured Officer. I'm interested in how the criminal got the Officer's weapon.