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Fulton County sheriff's deputy injured in shootout
Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat says he's grateful one of his deputies, Lt. Gerald Johnson, is going to be OK after being injured in a shootout involving a suspected armed robber.
ATLANTA - A Fulton County sheriff’s deputy working an off-duty job was injured in a shootout in Atlanta’s West End on Monday.
Gunshots could be heard just after 5 p.m. in the 600 block of Lee Street near Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard SW.
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Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat on deputy being shot
Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said one of his deputies was shot while working an off-duty job in Atlanta's West End on Jan. 6, 2025.
Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said those gunshots started shortly after two employees of Easy Rental ran towards Lt. Gerald Johnson, asking for help after an armed robbery.
"It's one of those things where, ultimately, you want your loved ones to come home safe," said Sheriff Labat.
Moments later, Lt. Johnson encountered the alleged thief, who the sheriff said was armed with an assault-style rifle. The two exchanged gunfire, resulting in injuries to both Lt. Johnson and the robber.
"As we often do, he ran toward danger, and he actually saved people’s lives in our estimation," the sheriff said.
Lt. Johnson was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. Sheriff Labat said he is expected to survive.
"Non-life-threatening injuries to his right hand, so he is in fact still recovering. His wife is here with him, who also works in law enforcement," the sheriff said.
FCSO Deputy Sheriff Lt. Gerald Johnson (Fulton County Sheriff's Office)
The gunman was fatally shot during the exchange, the sheriff added.
"They exchanged gunfire and to that extent the perpetrator is now deceased," said Sheriff Labat. "When you’re faced with an assault-style weapon, he did a wonderful job."
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, agents have been requested to investigate the use of force. A spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Department confirmed it is handling the robbery investigation, but cited the ongoing investigation into the use of force by the GBI as preventing them from releasing more details about the crime.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been asked to handle the investigation of an officer-involved shooting in the 600 block of Lee Street near Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard SW in Atlanta’s West End on Jan. 6, 2025. (FOX 5)
On Tuesday morning, the GBI indicated that the suspect initially robbed a Krispy Kreme store located behind the Easy Rental store before attempting to rob Easy Rental.
The GBI also said two employees were shot during the incident, but did not given any information about their current conditions.
The sheriff said Lt. Johnson has been with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office since 1993. Although he retired in 2017, he returned to active duty on a part-time basis in 2022.
The Source: The Atlanta Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office provided the details in this article. FOX 5's Eric Mock contributed to this article.