A suspect is in custody and two are still at large after an officer-involved shooting that followed an early morning burglary at Perimeter Mall.
The incident included stolen mall security truck, a chase around the Perimeter Mall area, and the shooting, which occurred when the suspects allegedly drove the vehicle toward three officers who were in pursuit.
According to Sgt. Michael Cheek, Dunwoody Police public information officer, a 911 call was received around 3 a.m. on Aug. 21 about a burglary in progress on the backside of Perimeter Mall near the MARTA station .
“The suspects entered the back side of the mall using a sledge hammer, and then entered Request [a luxury shoe and accessory store] and stole some high-end handbags,” Cheek said.
In the meantime, a mall security guard was on foot investigating the incident when the three suspects allegedly stole his truck, which was unoccupied and unsecured, Cheek said.
When three Dunwoody Police units responded to the call, the suspects fled on Perimeter Center West, drove along Ashford Dunwoody Road and turned into Perimeter Center East.
“While the officers were attempting to apprehend the suspects, they intentionally drove towards the officers, who opened fire,” Cheek said, adding that all three officers deployed their weapons.
The suspects then drove away on Perimeter Center East, crashed the vehicle, and fled on foot. While officers were searching the area, one of the suspects who had suffered a single gunshot wound emerged from the woods, was taken into custody, and transported to an unnamed hospital for treatment.
The other two suspects are still at large, Cheek said. Several other law enforcement agencies have been involved in the search, including DeKalb Police and K9 units. The car allegedly used by the suspects has also been secured.
A small portion of Perimeter Center East will remain closed while the investigation continues, he said.
The three officers, who have not been identified, are all on routine paid administrative leave while the shooting is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Cheek said. Dunwoody’s detective unit is investigating the burglaries, and the department, along with surrounding jurisdictions, continue to search for the two suspects.
Cheek said the suspects’ identities are still unknown, as well as the condition of the man who was shot. He also could not confirm or deny whether or not the suspects were armed.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
