GBI investigates deadly officer-involved shooting in Atlanta

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - An Atlanta Police officer fired shots during a confrontation with a thief trying to steal his car, and the thief died at the scene, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The agency has been asked to investigate the officer-involved shooting in Atlanta, which happened a little before 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of McDaniel and Whitehall streets.

According to the GBI, the plainclothes officer was pumping gas into a city-issued vehicle at the Shell gas station when he saw a thief, now identified as 18-year-old Dettrick Griffin, stealing his car during a "slider" crime. 

Wednesday morning, the GBI said the involved officer is a member of the Executive Protection Unit, who provide security for Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. 

GBI agents said the officer confronted Griffin, and during the confrontation, the officer fired shots; the wounded suspect continued to drive the officer's vehicle until it crashed into two other cars a short distance away.

There was no indication Griffin had a weapon, the GBI said. 

The officer suffered nonlife-threatening injuries. There is no word if the officer was on duty during the encounter with the car thief.

GBI agents are still investigating the scene and plan to present their findings to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office.