Atlanta officer shot while executing warrant with Marshals, murder suspect dead in Henry County

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — An Atlanta police officer has been shot in Henry County, officials confirmed to Channel 2 Action News.

The shooting happened Tuesday off Linden Lane after 12 p.m. NewsChopper 2 flew over the scene and spotted a dozen law enforcement vehicles.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A U.S. Marshals spokesman said they were serving a warrant for a murder suspect out of Atlanta when gunshots were fired.

Atlanta police said their officer, who is part of a task force with the US Marshals, was shot by the suspect, who was identified as Derrick Rankins.

The officer’s injuries are non-life-threatening, according to officials. Atlanta police confirmed that Rankins is dead.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is taking over the shooting investigation.

Police said Rankins was wanted in the murder of an Atlanta mother of four, Courtney Reese.

Reese was found shot multiple times at a home on Sprinside Drive on August. 20. Police called her murder and episode of domestic violence, though it’s unclear how she and Rankins were acquainted.

TRENDING STORIES

• At least 2 dead, 1 injured after tire explodes in Delta maintenance area near Atlanta airport
• Woman hospitalized, unborn baby dead after rear-ending dump truck turning into driveway
• 17 Georgians arrested in human trafficking sting involving 26 states

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, writing:

“Please join me in keeping our APD Investigator in your prayers as he recovers from being shot in the line of duty while serving a warrant. I spoke with him briefly and thankfully his injuries were to the arm and are not life-threatening. While authorities are still gathering details, we do know that the suspect was wanted for murder in our city — a horrible act of domestic violence that took the life of a mother of four — and this man barricaded himself in the house, shot at law enforcement and had no business having a gun in the first place. Domestic violence is a national crisis, and we must all band together and say, ‘no more.’ Thank you to all our public safety officials who run toward danger each and every day and thank you to the professionals at Grady Hospital who give world-class care.”

IN OTHER NEWS

Video shows driver smash into GA police car, sending glass flying

©2024 Cox Media Group