Police Officers Shot, Killed Kidnapping Suspect In Decatur: GBI

DECATUR, GA — Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents are investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place early Tuesday morning near downtown Decatur, which left one man dead.

The Chamblee Police Department requested GBI's assistance in investigating the shooting. According to a GBI press release, a 911 caller contacted Chamblee police to report a friend being kidnapped by an unknown man who was in possession of a gun. The caller provided officers a description of the suspected kidnapper's car.

Chamblee police officers found the car in question — which was previously reported as stolen out of DeKalb County — in Chamblee, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver sped away, which led to a car chase into the city of Decatur.

The driver did not stop the car and eventually crashed. He then got out of the vehicle, ran down an embankment and onto the railroad tracks near West Howard Avenue while officers chased him on foot.

"During the foot pursuit, officers attempted to tase the man but it was ineffective," the GBI press release said.

Officers met the man on the railroad tracks, and fired their guns during the encounter, hitting the man. He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries, according to the GBI. An autopsy will be performed at the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police officers received minor injuries during the pursuit, and a gun was found on the scene near the man. The victim suspected to be kidnapped is safe and not physically hurt, the release said.

"The GBI will continue to conduct an independent investigation and upon completion, the case will be turned over to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office for review," per the GBI release.

At least 10 police cars were in the area near East Howard Avenue and East Trinity Place, according to CBS 46. Officers from DeKalb County and the cities of Chamblee and Decatur also reported to the scene.

Police have not released any names or motives for the suspected kidnapping. It's not clear which law enforcement agency's officers were involved in the shooting.

The 911 caller resides in Chamblee. Once officers arrived on scene in Chamblee, they got a description of the car, followed it into Decatur, and made attempts to stop the car. Eventually, the car crashed and a man ran out of the car. https://t.co/zeXDVyfPEs
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) May 18, 2021