Atlanta police shoot man who threatened Family Dollar customers, GBI says
Police shot a man in northwest Atlanta on Monday night after officials said he threatened customers at a dollar store.
Atlanta police responded about 6:30 p.m. to the Family Dollar at 2045 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway after someone called 911 about a man on the property who was “making threats toward customers,” the GBI said in a statement. The store is near Hollywood Road in the Grove Park neighborhood.
After finding the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Otis Ponder, police said one of the officers tried to question him, but he ran toward a small storage shed behind a vacant home. Officials said the officer chased after Ponder and tried to detain him inside the shed, but he ignored her commands.
“Ponder advanced on the officer and pushed the officer over,“ the GBI said. ”During the incident, the officer shot at Ponder, hitting him.”
The suspect then ran across the street to a nearby liquor store at 2080 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. There, police gave him medical aid until emergency personnel arrived to take him to Grady Memorial Hospital.
Ponder remained in the hospital Tuesday and is said to be stable, the GBI said; the officer sustained minor injuries to her leg. She is expected to be OK, according to police.
The GBI will lead the investigation into the shooting. Once completed, the case will be given to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review.
