Man accused of firing at SWAT officers back on streets; neighbors on edge

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A decision to release a man from jail who is accused of shooting at SWAT officers is drawing outrage, but the Fulton County district attorney is defending the decision.

[READ MORE: SWAT officers opened fire on suspects loading handgun in car, police say]

Kenneth Gilbert was arrested last month for allegedly firing at officers as they attempted to get him to lower his gun.

Concerned citizens had questions for the top prosecutor in Fulton County, and his response surprised them.

“I wanted an explanation,” Taryn Bowman said.

Bowman is part of a citizens judicial task force that monitors repeat offender cases.

She said she was floored when she learned Gilbert is out on bond.

“I couldn’t believe that a criminal who opened fire on four SWAT officers and a huge marked SWAT car could ever be released on a signature bond just by signing his name,” Bowman said.

Channel 2 Action News was there last month after police arrested Gilbert and his father, Kenneth Gilbert Sr., on Moreland Avenue.

Police said one of them gestured at SWAT officers, then loaded a gun in front of them, which forced officers to open fire first.

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“You don’t have a gun and open fire on SWAT officers if you’re not dangerous. They’re dangerous,” Bowman said.

Channel 2's Matt Johnson looked up jail records that show the younger Gilbert didn't spend a whole day in jail before a prosecutor consented to a signature bond.

Bowman sent a letter to District Attorney Paul Howard, and he responded by saying that as part of 21st century policing, “it would not call for an arrest of either of the parties - police - or civilians" until a Georgia Bureau of Investigation investigation was completed.

Howard's office confirmed the letter, but he was not available for an interview.

“The fact that he gave that explanation is very concerning,” Bowman said.

Bowman said a bond granted for allegations this serious will harm morale within police departments.

“I think it totally demoralizes them,” Bowman said.

Howard's letter also said that 21st century policing was something introduced in 2014 on the national level in response to police use-of-force investigations.

He said to "retreat" from the policy within the Atlanta Police Department would be a "huge mistake."

Cox Media Group