DEKALB COUNTY, GA — Two DeKalb County Police officers were rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital on Wednesday morning after being shot when they responded to a domestic situation at an apartment complex in DeKalb County.
At an afternoon press conference, DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos said 911 received an open call, which means the caller is not speaking, but dispatch can hear what’s occurring on the other end of the call. Dispatchers could hear what sounded like arguing through the phone and sent out two officers out to a unit at the Waldrop Cove apartment complex.
When officers arrived at the home, the suspect’s mother told police that her 20-year-old son was behaving aggressively and was causing a dispute with her and another individual in the apartment.
The 20-year-old then fired several shots through the door hitting the officers. Supervisor Sergeant Matthews was struck in the leg and Officer Howell was struck in the foot. One of the officers was transported to the hospital via ambulance while the other officer was transported by a colleague in a patrol car.
Ramos remarked that after Sergeant Matthews was shot, he continued to pursue the suspect and managed to take him into custody with the help of other officers who arrived on the scene which “just demonstrates the bravery that our officers need to display every day.”
“It’s Thanksgiving, it’s a time to be grateful and blessed, and we are grateful and blessed today that our officers will be able to spend Thanksgiving with their families.” Ramos said.
Both officers are stable. They will remain in the hospital overnight for observation.
While the 20-year-old man remains in custody, his identity has not been released. Police are waiting on a search warrant, so they can enter the home and search for the gun.