DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Two DeKalb County officers are hospitalized after being shot a day before Thanksgiving.
Police have now identified the shooter as 20-year-old Demetrius Sutherland. he’s facing two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and one count of family violence - battery.
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NewsChopper 2 flew over the scene near the Waldrop community off Flat Shoals Road in the Panthersville area Wednesday morning. Channel 2′s Steve Gelhbach was at Grady Memorial Hospital where a heavy police presence could be seen and several officers blocking the road.
DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond spoke at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
When officers arrived at the home, a woman told police that her 20-year-old son, later identified as Sutherland, was being aggressive.
Sutherland then fired shots through the door and those bullets hit the officers.
Ramos identified the officers as a supervisor, 34-year-old Sgt. Matthews, and 35-year-old Ofc. Howell.
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Howell was shot in the foot and Matthews was shot in the upper leg/hip area, according to Ramos.
Ramos said Matthews was able to pursue the suspect and take him into custody.
Both officers are expected to make a full recovery. Howell has since been released from the hospital. Matthews is expected to be released on Thursday.
Matthews has been with the DeKalb County Police Department for the last 11 years and Howell has spent four years with the department. Both are assigned to the South Precinct.
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