Officer injured, suspect in critical condition after shootout during Clayton County SWAT standoff

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - An officer and a suspect have been rushed to the hospital after a shootout during a SWAT standoff in Clayton County on Tuesday evening. 

Officials say the situation started at a home on the 300 block of Arrowhead Boulevard on the other side of Jonesboro.

What we know:

Police say officers were able to track the suspect to a home on the 700 block of Summerchase Drive in Jonesboro after the initial shooting.

"Officers originally went to the first scene where there was a shooting that had occurred. After they had gathered information on that scene, they were able to track that vehicle back to this location," Lt. Ricky Porter told FOX 5.

Officer Kenyon Ford (Clayton County Police Department)

When they got to the home, officials say the man, later identified as Daniel Neal, refused to leave or follow any of the officers' commands, leading to the SWAT response. 

The standoff eventually escalated to the point where SWAT officers entered the home, which led to an "exchange of gunfire," officials say.

This image shows a line of police officers accompanying an ambulance with an injured officer inside through the Downtown Connector en route to Grady Memorial Hospital on Feb. 25, 2025.

A member of Clayton County Police's Gang Enforcement Unit, later identified as Officer Kenyon Ford, was hit in the leg by a bullet while outside the home. He was rushed to the hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.

Neal was shot multiple times and remains hospitalized in critical condition on Wednesday morning.

Officers remained on the scene into the early hours of the morning collecting evidence. For most of Wednesday, Clayton County police and GBI agents were going in and out of the home on Summerchase Drive.

Daniel Neal (Clayton County Police Department)

"At this point, our detectives are executing a search warrant inside the home to gather evidence," Porter said. "Our command staff is following up with our officer in the hospital to make sure he's okay and getting the support he needs."

What they're saying:

Neighbors recounting the moments they heard gunshots in their usually quiet community. 

"We just here pop, pop, pop, pop, pop…about five or six shots coming from inside the house," said Coata Malone.

" I remember seeing a young man going into the house and then afterward here comes the police," said Phyllis Holmes.

"They are like, ‘Your girlfriend is out here. We know you want to meet your unborn baby who is supposed to be out here in June. Come out here, your mom is worried about you,," said Malone.

Coata Malone says police surrounded the house with guns for hours, working to talk him out peacefully. He knew the family. 

"We had to help push their car out. My brother has helped find the dog and return it to them. We have known that family for a couple of years now," said Malone.

"I was like, ‘My goodness.’ I saw the little guy. I felt hurt but then again you shot someone, so it was mixed feelings," said Phyllis Holmes.

Holmes says this is a first for this community but she's grateful the officer is expected to be OK. 

What we don't know:

Neal's charges were also not available.

This image shows a Clayton County EMS ambulance at Grady Memorial Hospital after an officer was injured during a SWAT standoff on Feb. 25, 2025.

Authorities have not shared any details about the shooting on Arrowhead Boulevard that reportedly began the situation.