COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — The GBI has been called to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Newnan.
Coweta County deputies say a man connected to another crime started shooting at them off International Park. Deputies returned fire and hit the suspect.
The man, who has been identified as 26-year-old Mario Clarke, was airlifted to the hospital. He remains in critical condition. No deputies were injured.
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Police said that shortly after midnight, someone reported a stolen car at a Racetrac on Amlajack Boulevard.
After a brief chase, the stolen car stopped and the suspect ran from the car into the woods near the interstate. The victim was able to identify the suspect as Clarke and warrants were taken out for his arrest.
Marked patrol cars were keeping track of an area where Clarke was last seen. Deputies spotted him around noon. He ran from deputies again.
Uniformed police and K9 officers tracked the area. Eventually a deputy found Clarke near some soccer fields.
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The deputy got out of his car and Clarke fired at him, hitting his vehicle. The deputy shot back and wounded Clarke. Clarke was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. The GBI said he is currently in critical condition.
A viewer told Channel 2 the Hello Fresh factory on International Park was on lockdown. Rumors initially circulated that there was an active shooter, but Coweta County 911 dispatch confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that there was no active shooter, just a search for a suspect.
Our photographer at the scene saw a medical helicopter take off from softball fields near the facility and multiple law enforcement vehicles were blocking the road.
At least one law enforcement vehicle had bullet holes in the windshield.
Clarke is the same man accused of shooting at his father last month. Surveillance video shows the father and son both with weapons in front of their home.
Officials said Clarke’s dad called 911 saying that he was shooting at him. Police charged Clarke with aggravated assault.
