ATLANTA — We now know the names of the man killed and the Atlanta police officer injured during a shootout at an Atlanta apartment building on Wednesday.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations said police were called out to the 8th floor of the Solace on Peachtree Apartments on 710 Peachtree Street in response to a person shot call.
When the two officers arrived on the floor, authorities said Joseph Lee Humbles, 29, of Atlanta, immediately fired gunshots at officers, striking an officer in the face and shoulder. The two officers were able to return fire, which struck Humbles.
Humbles died as a result of his injuries.
Police Chief Rodney Bryant identified the injured officer as Khuong Thai during a news conference Thursday afternoon. The department also identified the other officer involved as Officer Joshua Lovreta.
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Thai was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for his injuries.
“The officer that received injuries is in stable condition at Grady Hospital and he’s doing well, being surrounded with his family,” Bryant said.
Bryant said Humbles had a previous interaction with police, including a 2017 minor drug violation.
Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Charles Hampton told Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne that detectives are still trying to determine what led up to the shooting.
“We’re looking at any and everything that originally led up to the original shooting, and so if there is any other component of illegal activity to that, we’re looking into everything,” Hampton said.
“Did both officers return fire?” Winne asked Bryant.
“Based on what we know now, both officers did return fire,” Bryant said.
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Authorities said the victim at the source of the person shot call was also taken to the hospital. He was listed as stable.
The GBI will continue to investigate the officer-involved portion of the investigation. Atlanta police will investigate the shooting that injured the victim.
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Jave Brown lives nearby and said he heard the guns shots.
“I was in my apartment. I heard what sounded like gunshots. I couldn’t tell what it was. I wasn’t expecting it, so ... Then I heard the sirens. Once I found out what was going on I realized it was gunshots,” Brown said.
Terrell said he just moved to Atlanta and never expected to run into something like this.
“I moved up to the city six or seven months ago. I never thought I would see this. I know its probably naïve of me,” Terrell said.
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