Bank robbery suspect shot by police identified

A suspected bank robber who was shot and killed in Buckhead by an Atlanta police officer was identified Thursday.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office identified the dead man as Michael Hammond, 47, of Atlanta.

Hammond is accused of robbing a Wells Fargo Bank at 5500 New Northside Drive just before noon Wednesday, Sandy Springs Police Lt. Steve Rose said.

The suspect left in a beige-colored Chevrolet Impala.

Sandy Springs police and Georgia State Patrol officers pursued the Impala on Ga. 400 southbound, near Peachtree and Lenox Roads, and into Atlanta, Rose said.

Atlanta police spotted the car and followed it to Adina and Garson Drive, Lt. Paul Guerrucci said.

There, police attempted to make contact with the Hammond, who did produce a weapon, Guerrucci said. It is unclear what type of gun Hammond had and whether he fired it, he said.

Exactly what prompted the officers to start shooting remains under investigation, he said.

More than one officer was at the scene, but it’s unclear how many fired their weapons and how many times the man was shot, Guerrucci said, saying the last question will be answered by the Fulton County Medical Examiner after an autopsy is done. An investigator with the Medical Examiner's office told the AJC that the autopsy would be done on Thursday.

None of the officers were hurt.

“When they come out of a critical incident unharmed, we’re very appreciative,” Guerrucci said.

Once investigators determine which officers were involved in firing their weapons at the man, they will be placed on paid administrative leave – which is standard procedure, Guerrucci said.

“The investigation will go on for many, many more hours, and those determinations will be made later,” he said.

Atlanta police have set up a mobile command post near the Sorelle Apartments at Lindbergh. The area backs up to an embankment near I-85.

Check back with ajc.com for updates

--WSB Radio reporter Pete Combs and AJC photographer John Spink and reporter Mike Morris contributed to this report.