2 shot by police after father accused of trying to take his own daughter from Cobb home

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into a shooting involving Cobb police after officers chased a suspect into Douglas County.

Investigators said police shot the suspect in his SUV and his passenger.

Channel 2 Action News This Morning reported live from the scene Wednesday morning as more than a dozen police cars blocked off the intersection at Maxham Road and Thornton Road.

Witnesses told Channel 2 Action News they heard a chase on Maxham Road that turned onto the highway, where it ended with a crash and gunfire. Channel 2′s Darryn Moore could see the suspect’s silver SUV shot with several bullet holes.

Cobb County police initially told Channel 2 Action News that one person was shot and no officers were injured. Hours later, the GBI sent a news release confirming a woman inside the suspect’s car was also injured.

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The GBI said Cobb police initially responded to a home off Drennon Avenue in Austell. A 911 caller said an armed man and woman were his home trying to take his daughter. The 911 caller gave police a description of the SUV.

Police identified the two people who came to the home as Ricardo Tuggle, 38, and Kara Johnson, 28. Police said Tuggle and Johnson were trying to convince Tuggle’s 20-year-old daughter to come with them.

“She refused, resulting in Mr. Tuggle removing a handgun from his waistband and pointing it at the residents,” police said.

Tuggle and Johnson then left in a silver KIA Sorento.

Officers later spotted the SUV and tried to pull the Tuggle over, but he wouldn’t stop, according to police. A chase went into Douglas County where officers did a PIT maneuver to end the chase.

“Upon disabling the vehicle, officers observed Ricardo Tuggle reaching around and refusing to show his hands,” police said. “The behavior continued as officers gave loud commands for Tuggle to ‘Stop reaching’ and to ‘show his hands.’ Officers fired their weapons at Tuggle. Mr. Tuggle sustained multiple gunshot wounds.”

Johnson was also shot.

Both Tuggle and Johnson were taken to the hospital, where she was treated and released. Tuggle is in serious but stable condition.

Charges are pending.

The GBI has been called in to investigate the shooting.

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