Driver shot, killed by Atlanta police after ramming patrol car, APD says
Atlanta police kill driver who rammed patrol car
CMS Thesis Description: Atlanta police shot and killed a driver who repeatedly rammed a patrol cruiser outside an apartment complex on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW as a wanted domestic violence suspect fled on foot, authorities said.
ATLANTA - Atlanta police officers shot and killed a driver Thursday evening after a car rammed a patrol cruiser as officers tried to arrest a wanted suspect in northwest Atlanta, according to police.
What we know:
Atlanta Police Department officers responded Thursday to the 1100 block of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW to serve an arrest warrant for domestic violence and aggravated assault.
According to APD Deputy Chief Prenzinna Spann, officers spotted the wanted suspect outside the apartment complex.
Both the suspect and another individual ran and entered a vehicle to drive away.
Spann said the driver of that vehicle immediately began ramming an officer's patrol vehicle.
"Our suspect and another individual got into a vehicle, they attempted to flee," Spann said. "The driver of that vehicle began to immediately ram our officers' vehicle. The officers discharged [their] weapon at the driver of that vehicle where he succumbed to his injuries."
She said officers opened fire, shooting the driver, who died from his injuries.
Spann confirmed the driver who died was not the suspect wanted on the original domestic violence warrant.
The wanted suspect ran away from the area and has not been found.
Aerial footage from SKYFOX 5 showed an extensive police presence blocking the roadway as crime scene tape cordoned off the complex and parking lot. The investigation shut down a portion of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW for several hours Thursday evening.
Following standard protocol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to the scene and is leading the investigation into the shooting.
In an earlier statement, the department said that there is no immediate threat to the public at this time.
What we don't know:
Police have not released the identity or age of the driver who was killed.
Authorities have not publicly identified the wanted domestic violence suspect who escaped. Spann noted it remains unclear whether the suspect lived at the complex or was just visiting.
Investigators have not determined whether the driver of the vehicle was connected to the initial domestic violence case.
Officials have not confirmed how many officers discharged their weapons or if any officers sustained injuries during the ramming.
It's unclear if the suspect or the driver was armed at the time of the shooting.
What's next:
The GBI is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting. Atlanta police officers are continuing to search the surrounding area for the outstanding warrant suspect.
The Source: Information in this report was obtained directly from the Atlanta Police Department and a news conference from Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Prenzinna Spann, and on-scene reporting from FOX 5 Atlanta’s Tara Jabour.