Fulton police shoot, kill man who tried to pull a gun, officials say

He was wanted on aggravated assault and armed robbery charges. In 2022, he was released on bond with an ankle monitor “but was able to remove the monitor and has been on the run since,” according to Fulton police.

According to the GBI, officials responded to the area after a 911 caller reported “suspicious persons.” When authorities arrived, several people ran off and “officers chased one man,” the state agency added.

Police said people were loitering at the scene, which they called “a known drug location.” Smith fled after officers tried to make contact, Fulton police said in a news release.

Smith is accused of running across the street and getting into his vehicle. The GBI said officers gave the man commands, but he did not comply. That’s when he’s accused of pulling out a handgun and then officers shot at him, the GBI said.

“Officers gave verbal commands to Smith to turn the vehicle off and show his hands,” Fulton police said. “Smith refused to comply, and at that time Smith began reaching down and produced a handgun, prompting officers to discharge their firearms.”

Smith was taken to a hospital, where he died, authorities said. The GBI confirmed a weapon was found in his possession.

Cynthia Douglas, the owner of Memezz Restaurant where the shooting took place, said she was cooking in the kitchen during the lunch rush when she heard gunshots outside. She said the person involved was one of her customers.

“My restaurant was full, and I just heard shots. Then, when I said, ‘Who’s shooting?’ they said, ‘The police,’” she said. “He ran and was sitting in his car, and the police shot him.”

Paulette Smith told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution during a phone call soon after the shooting that her nephew had just shared a meal with his stepfather at the restaurant.

After losing her son to gun violence in August 2021, Smith was devastated to find herself facing another painful loss so soon. She said Damario Smith and her son were close.

“He was the person who was there with me the whole time when my son died. The only person who didn’t leave my side,” Smith said.

It’s the 23rd officer-involved shooting investigated by the GBI this year, and the third in one week’s time.

It’s also the second time a Fulton police officer has been involved in a shooting this month.

On April 18, Officer Zahir Muid was shot by a man in an incident that began on Fulton Industrial Boulevard, according to investigators. Rashan Jarvis Cofield had a warrant out for his arrest when he shot Muid and a South Fulton police officer, who was critically injured, officials said.

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