Off-duty Atlanta police officer shot, killed while breaking into Douglas County home, deputies say

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga - An Atlanta police officer was shot and killed outside a Douglas County home during what investigators say was an apparent early-morning break-in attempt. He was identified as Investigator Aubree Horton by the Atlanta Police Department.

It happened around 5 a.m. Friday at a home along Orkney Way near E. Carroll Road in the Andrews Country Club neighborhood.  

According to Douglas County Sheriff Tim Pounds, deputies responded to a burglary call.  

"On an attempted burglary, understanding, at this time, that a person attempted to gain entry into the residence behind," the sheriff said. "When he gained entrance, the homeowner produced a firearm in self-defense and shot the individual. At this time, the individual is deceased.

Deputies report that after the officer entered the home, the homeowner opened fire, fatally shooting him. Investigators are calling the shooting "self-defense."

Neighbors and Homeowners were stunned to learn a deadly shooting. 

"I've lived here for five years, and I can promise you, this ain't what you see out here," resident Milton Johnston explained.  

Investigators say the officer lives in the neighborhood, about a half-mile walk way, and may have been having a mental health episode or was under the influence of narcotics.

"Well, we believed the burglar lived here in the neighborhood here, yes," the sheriff said. "This is an active investigation. There are a lot of things we are trying to figure out and come up with."

 Investigator Aubree Horton (Atlanta Police Department)

The Atlanta Police Department identified the officer as Investigator Aubree Horton. In a statement released late Friday, APD officials confirmed he was off duty at the time: 

"Horton joined the Atlanta Police Department in November 2015 and was most recently assigned to APD's Fugitive Unit. We are working closely with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office to learn more about what occurred as they investigate the incident." 

Investigator Horton was honored as "Officer of the Year" at the "Crime is Toast" breakfast on Sept. 24. 

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