DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The suspect wanted in a shooting that injured two DeKalb County deputies is dead. Edward Allen Gatling was shot and killed in a shootout with police, according to authorities.
The incident began 7:30 a.m. Wednesday when the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said Gatling shot two deputies who were serving an arrest warrant at a home on Wellington Circle in Lithonia.
DeKalb County Deputy Chief Randy Akies said one deputy was hit in the leg and the other was hit abdomen. Both of the injured investigators were taken to DeKalb Medical Center, where they were conscious and alert.
They were later taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. The deputies were identified as Ja’rad Hunt and Aaron Jackson, both longtime veterans of the department.
Dekalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox told Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes that both officers are doing alright.
“The blessing of it is both deputies have been cracking jokes. So that’s a blessing to us and we feel good about it because we at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s office are a family,” she said.
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This afternoon, authorities said someone from the community called and said that someone was hiding in the woods. Officers caught sight of the Gatling and gunfire was exchanged and Gatling was killed. Video from NewsChopper2 showed Gatling’s body in a heavily wooded area.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the search for Gatling, who authorities said was “armed and dangerous.” DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox announced a stern warning for Gatling.
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“Mr. Gatling, we know you’re out there, we see you. The community sees you. Know you will be brought to custody,” Maddox said.
This is who police are looking for - Edward Gatling. He’s the one accused of shooting 2 deputies this morning - who are fugitive investigators. Police believe he’s somewhere in DeKalb running from investigators right now. Lock your doors bc he may be desperate to get away. pic.twitter.com/590rFfIxky
— Tyisha Fernandes (@TyishaWSB) December 1, 2021
Lithonia High School, Miller Grove High School, Bethune Middle School, Miller Grove Middle School, Marbut Elementary School, Panola Way Elementary School, Stoneview Elementary School, and Woodridge Elementary School were placed on a level two lockdown. DeKalb deputies are present at each school.
Covington Highway was shut down between Phillips Road and DeKalb Medical Parkway.
This is the second shooting involving metro Atlanta officer in just 24 hours. A Clayton County police officer was killed and another was injured in a shooting that left two women and the suspect dead.
Officers with rifles out blocking Covington Hwy in DeKalb Co/Lithonia area pic.twitter.com/w7l7K7xari
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) December 1, 2021
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