Associated Press
DECATUR, Ga. — A Georgia police officer and a suspect died Thursday night after a traffic stop led to a foot chase and shooting just east of Atlanta, authorities said.
DeKalb County police Chief James Conroy said at a news conference that the unidentified officer and suspect died at an Atlanta hospital following the Thursday evening shooting, according to news outlets.
“Tonight, a DeKalb County Police officer died in the line of duty serving its citizens of DeKalb County,” Conroy said.
A police dog was also shot and was listed in critical condition.
Maj. Jerry Lewis Jr. said the shooting followed a traffic stop. Lewis said the suspect tried to flee and the DeKalb County officer pursued. The suspect then shot the officer and the K-9 officer, prompting responding officers to shoot the suspect, Lewis said.
Conroy said the slain officer had been with the department for less than two years. The suspect was described as a man in his 20s to 30s.
According to officials, the shooting happened in the parking lot of a Piggly Wiggly grocery store.
A witness who was eating inside a nearby restaurant told WSB-TV he heard at least six gunshots.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
The shooting caused a nearby portion of Interstate 20 to be briefly shut down, leading to rush-hour traffic jams.
