Man shot in face by off-duty Atlanta officer

A 28-year-old Atlanta man was shot by an off-duty Atlanta police officer Tuesday night, but accounts vary as to what led to the conflict.

Atlanta Police Lt. Keith Meadows said an officer, working security at the Cityviews Apartments on Richardson Street, saw what he believed to be a “suspicious” person and when the officer approached the man ran to his car. The officer approached the vehicle with his weapon drawn.

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Hyosub Shin /hshin@ajc.com

Atlanta Police officers investigate the scene of the shooting Tuesday night.

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“The subject reached under his seat and the officer felt threatened,” Meadows said. The officer fired a single shot to the face.

No weapons were found on the man, Meadows said. The wounded man had a cellphone in his hand when he was searched at the hospital, he said.

Relatives identified the wounded man as Tramaine Miller. Meadows said Miller was in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital.

His father, Gregory Rollins, said Miller was visiting the complex to deliver medication to his aunt, who’s a paraplegic.

“He comes here all the time to bring her medication,” said Rollins, who lives with his disabled sister.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. As of 11:30 p.m. police were still awaiting a warrant to search the vehicle, which was being towed to police headquarters.

Witness Jack Jordan disputed the official account.

“The cop kept telling him to show his hands,” said Jordan, who was about 20-25 yards away from the shooting. “I saw his hands.”

Jordan said he heard a window break, and then heard a gunshot.

“How can you roll down a window when your hands are in the air?” Jordan asked.

The officer will be placed on a three-day firearm review, with investigations forthcoming by the department’s homicide and internal affairs divisions, Meadows said.