A Chamblee police officer was shot early Tuesday morning while chasing two armed robbery suspects in the Northlake area, authorities said.
The officer was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening and was said to be stable, according to Chamblee police. One suspect was quickly arrested, and officers have shut down several residential roads near Northlake Mall on Tuesday morning while they search for the second suspect.
“What we are asking is (for) the citizens to be diligent,” Chamblee police Capt. Chris Findley told reporters as the search entered its 10th hour. “If they see something, please call us. Don’t approach anyone. Let us come handle it.”
The shooting came at the end of a vehicle and foot pursuit, Findley said. Around midnight, Chamblee’s traffic camera system notified officers of a stolen vehicle used in an armed robbery passing through the city. They attempted to stop it shortly before 12:30 a.m.
The driver sped away, kicking off the chase, before eventually crashing near the intersection of Briarcliff Road and Briarcliff Way, according to Findley.
“Both suspects fled the vehicle, and the passenger of the vehicle returned fire on our first responding officer,” he said. “Shot his car multiple times, and he was hit one time.”
State Rep. Scott Holcomb, who lives in the Northlake area, said he heard a series of about 10 gunshots outside his home around 12:50 a.m. The first suspect was apprehended after he was spotted lying on the side of the road, trying to hide, Holcomb said.
Findley said the man in custody was believed to be the driver and did not fire on police. They are still looking for the passenger, whose name was not released. He is described by DeKalb police as a man with short black hair and a light complexion who is approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds.
K-9 officers believe they found the man’s clothes during initial searches, and they do not know what he is currently wearing. He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police.
Holcomb said he and his neighbors were asked to stay inside and alert police of any suspicious activity. Officers were hoping daylight would prove beneficial as they combed yards and checked inside vehicles, he said.
Schools in the area were operating as normal Tuesday, with an enhanced police presence on campus and added patrols, according to the DeKalb County School District. The extra officers were expected to remain at the schools throughout the day.
The search has also closed the intersection of Briarcliff and Henderson Mill roads outside the entrance to the mall, where police have set up a command post Tuesday morning. A SWAT team and other local law enforcement agencies are assisting.
We have an Atlanta Journal-Constitution photographer on the scene to learn more.
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