Officer fires at man driving stolen vehicle, GBI says

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - A man is dead after getting into a scuffle with a Clayton County police officer that led to shots being fired late Monday morning.

The deadly shooting happened in an industrial zone less than a half mile south of Southlake Mall. Around 11 a.m., officers were called out to the 1000 block of Commerce Road after a report of a possibly stolen vehicle.

Investigators say the officer found the vehicles and located handguns inside. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the suspect approached the officer, but gave no indication he was connected with the stolen vehicle.

The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Eric Holmes, of Stone Mountain.

The GBI says Holmes then abruptly ended his conversation with the officer, got into the vehicle, and drove off. 

The officer told the man to stop, but he continued. The GBI says the officer fired several shots at the car, but it continued.

The officer called for back and got into their vehicle to pursue. About a quarter mile down the road, the GBI says Holmes veered off the road into a ditch.

The officer took him into custody and provided first aid, investigators say.

Holmes was rushed to Southern Regional Hospital where he later died.

Investigators say two handguns were found in the car.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been asked to investigate the case. It will then be reviewed by the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office.

The officer, whose name has not been released, has been placed on paid administrative leave, a standard practice in these types of cases.