Authorities release sketch in deputy's shooting at Tanger Outlets

COMMERCE, Ga. — Authorities released a sketch of a man they say opened fire on a deputy in a popular outlet mall.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a Banks County deputy was shot while on duty Wednesday afternoon in the area of the Tanger Outlets in Commerce.

The crime started when Banks County deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at the Atlanta Dragway around 4 p.m.

While deputies were headed to the scene, they say, the suspect stole a vehicle. Deputies said they located the vehicle in the area of Tanger Outlet Center.

[PHOTOS: Deputy shot at Tanger Outlet]

They said the suspect tried to flee, but a short time later, the driver got out of the vehicle and fired at the deputy.

"At some point during the stop, my officer's car hit the suspect's car. The suspect stopped the car, jumped out and started firing at my officer," Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed said.

The deputy was shot while still in the patrol vehicle. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

While the suspect ran from the scene, he continued shooting, deputies said. The suspect is believed to be armed with two weapons.

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Authorities said the suspect ran across Interstate 85 and into the woods.

He’s described as a black male in his 40s with short hair. He’s about 6 feet tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He was wearing dark clothing.

Deputies said the search is concentrated in the area of Steve Reynolds Boulevard. Multiple agencies on the ground and in the air searched for the suspect.

The Tanger Outlets are located just off Exit 149 on Interstate 85 in Commerce. The mall closed at 7:30 as a precaution after the shooting.

The GBI warned people near the mall to lock their doors while they search for the dangerous man.

"It's crazy. You don't see this happening around much," neighbor Judy Miller said.

Authorities said they will not give up on the search.

"We'll search until we find him. We're not in the habit of letting people shoot deputy sheriff's and get away with it," said Mike Ayers, GBI special agent in charge,

Cox Media Group