ATLNTA — A veteran FBI agent was injured in a gun battle with a wanted suspect Friday afternoon in southwest Atlanta.
The agent was a member of the FBI task force assigned to tracking down Avery Richard, the man accused of shooting a Banks County Sheriff's Deputy outside of an outlet mall earlier this week.
After receiving a tip, the FBI SWAT team and ammo task force descended on a strip mall on MLK Drive around 4 p.m. and exchanged fire with the suspect.
Richard, who was on the run for two days, was killed in the shootout.
FBI confirms man shot and killed by FBI agent here in SW ATL is suspect in Banks Co. deputy shooting. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/a2SLgDpMMb
— Justin Wilfon (@JustinWilfonWSB) April 28, 2017
"I saw officers jump out of a car or van, wherever they came from, with guns in their hand," witness Richard Davis said.
A woman who was in a van with Richard was also shot. Her condition is unknown.
The FBI agent, whose name has not been released, is being treated at Grady Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Avery Richards, shot and killed after he shot FBI agent today, and wanted for shooting Banks Co. Dep. got out of prison in October @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/6yKFAqUf3d
— Aaron Diamant (@AaronDiamantWSB) April 28, 2017
Authorities began searching for Richard Wednesday afternoon after they say he shot a Banks County sheriff's deputy outside the Tanger Outlet Mall in Commerce and then later kidnapped a woman from her home, forcing her to drive him to Atlanta.
"This is a huge, huge relief. As you know, this impacted many parts of the state. Everyone was on high alert. This is a huge sigh of relief," FBI special agent Steven Emmett said.
Channel 2 Action News learned Richard's problems with the law started more than a decade ago.
A document from the Department of Corrections shows he served 10 years for aggravated assault with intent to rape. He was just released this past October.
Cox Media Group
