Shooting in Smyrna: Suspected armed robber opens fire, sparks massive search
Shooting at check cashing store in Smyrna
The search continues this afternoon for a suspect involved in a shootout with Smyrna police. The incident took place at a check cashing store near the intersection of Spring Road and Cumberland Boulevard.
SMYRNA, Ga. - Authorities in Smyrna spent Thursday piecing together what led to a shooting at a check cashing store.
Police swarmed the intersection of Spring Road and Cumberland Boulevard immediately following a 911 call reporting the violent incident.
Check cashing shooting in Smyrna
What we know:
Smyrna Police responded to a hold-up alarm at approximately 9:28 a.m. on Thursday.
"I've seen about 30 to 40 police officer cars, everybody had their guns drawn," said Corissa Ellis.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered a possible suspect, leading to a shooting incident.
"Someone tried to rob the cash advance, but they couldn't get in," said Cyddra Simmons. "She hit the silent alarm, I'm assuming I'm not sure for certain, but when she hit the silent alarm, the police showed up."
No injuries have been reported. The possible suspect took off running.
The front door and side window of the check cashing store appear to have been shot out.
Smyrna Police asked for help from the Cobb County Police and SWAT teams. Authorities cordoned off several blocks around the area, including a nearby QuikTrip gas station, where the possible suspect was reportedly seen. Police also deployed drones and helicopters to assist in the search.
"We had initial information that he might have gone to the QuikTrip, but we have cleared that," said Lt. Meredith Holt with Smyrna Police.
Who opened fire at a Smyrna check cashing store?
What we don't know:
It remains unclear who the person was who opened fire.
Shots fire during Smyrna incident
According to Cobb County police, the SWAT team responded to a request for assistance by Smyrna police investigation reports of shots fired in the area. No officers have been injured.
Smyrna shooting prompts concern
What they're saying:
For people who live and work nearby, it is shocking it happened here.
"Very scary because this is the area that you don't expect this," Ellis said.
"It's very shocking, I've never experienced anything like this," Simmons said.
Witnesses described the chaos as law enforcement took control of the scene. One individual reported seeing SWAT officers surrounding the area and attempting to coax the individual out of a bathroom inside the gas station.
"They were yelling at some guy to come out the bathroom, and SWAT just came in," the witness said. "It was a standoff for the last 30, 35 minutes. They got the drones, the helicopters, two SWAT cars, one on its side, one on that side. All the streets blocked here."
The Source: Information for this story was taken from a Facebook post by the Smyrna Police Department and a release by the Cobb County Police Department. FOX 5 Atlanta's Tyler Fingert also responded to the scene.