Atlanta

Suspect who shot Fulton deputy robbed Krispy Kreme, shot 2 people at Easy Rental

Retired Fulton County deputy shot in Southwest Atlanta Investigators said the deputy was taken to the hospital for their injuries. (WSBTV.com News Staff)

ATLANTA — New details have emerged after an off-duty Fulton County deputy was shot in Atlanta.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the suspect robbed a Krispy Kreme and shot two people while trying to rob another business in the area.

On Monday, Channel 2 Action News reported that Lt. Gerald Johnson was working an off-duty job on Lee Street when he was asked to help people who’d had an encounter with a man with an assault-type rifle.

When Johnson responded, he ended up getting into a gunfight with the suspect and was shot in the hand. The suspect and Johnson were both taken to the hospital, where the suspect was pronounced dead. Officials have not identified the suspect.

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According to the GBI, a witness who worked at Krispy Kreme flagged down Johnson and told him the suspect was still nearby.

Johnson found the suspect around the corner from the Krispy Kreme behind an Easy Rental location. The GBI said the suspect had shot two employees while trying to rob the rental business.

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Officials said the suspect opened fire and shot Johnson and the deputy fired back.

Labat said Johnson had worked for the sheriff’s office since 1993 before retiring a few years ago, then returning to work part-time.

At the news conference, Labat commended Johnson’s actions, saying he did exactly what he was trained to do.

“He ran towards danger and he did an excellent job,” Labat said.

The shooting remains under investigation.

BREAKING UPDATE: We just got in this photo of Lt. Gerald Johnson, the retired deputy who was injured today chasing after a robbery suspect: https://2wsb.tv/3W6khXq

Posted by WSB-TV on Monday, January 6, 2025

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