Man says he shot, killed woman attacking him with knife

ATLANTA — Atlanta police are investigating after a woman was found dead in a house in northwest Atlanta.

Police said they got a call about a dispute at a house on Abner Place Monday morning.

A woman in her 40s was later found dead inside.

Police said there was some kind of dispute at the house early Monday morning between the woman and a man. The man told Channel 2's Audrey Washington that he shot the woman as she tried to attack him with a knife.

“I hate what happened but I can’t help it now,” the man told Washington. He agreed to speak with her about the tragedy but didn't want to give his name. He wanted to tell his side of the story.

“Well, I’m going to tell you the truth. The lady has been taking me for a dog for a long time,” he told Washington after she asked him what happened.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Asst. police chief's home among damaged properties in violent crime spree
• Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle to wed next year
• Atlanta's best pizza returning to... Atlanta

He says he was in a relationship with the woman, a relationship that often turned violent. It was early Monday morning that he said went too far.

“She had a knife and tried to stab me and it all just happened too fast.”

Friends of the man said the two would fight often.

"He wouldn't have done that over nothing. This man was sleeping in his car and this is his house. She came out here to him," Reginald Tanner said.

When the woman's family arrived at the scene, they were too upset to speak. The man told Washington he's distraught as well.

“I don’t know everything, but the right thing," he said.

During his interview with Washington, the man maintained he fought back in self-defense. He was not seriously injured during the incident.

Cox Media Group